Wildfires rage in Russia's Far East due to dry, hot weather

Authorities declare emergency situation in Khabarovssk region

Elena Teslova |03.05.2024 -


MOSCOW

Wildfires are quickly spreading in Russia's Far East due to dry and hot weather, with several dozens of fires registered on the territory of almost 65,000 hectares.

An emergency situation was declared on Thursday in the Khabarovsk region due to the worsening situation.

The area of wildfires increased by 17,000 hectares over the past day and exceeded 47,000 hectares, the regional administration said on Telegram.

At least 14 wildfires are raging the Khabarovsk forests, the statement said, adding that over the past day 11 fires were extinguished.

The Emergency Situations Ministry reported tense situation in six more Russian regions -- Zabaikalsk, Krasnoyarsk, Sverdlovsk and Amur regions, the Jewish Autonomous Region, and Buryatia. More than 19 wildfires engulfed some 17,000 hectares of forests in these regions, the ministry said.