Forest fires are one of the worst disasters on Earth. People lose their homes, and often their lives, thousands of animals die, trees - “living lungs” of the planet burn up. And although the authorities of all regions of Russia are intensely preparing for the "hot season", fires still flare up here and there. There are also deliberate arson attacks, for example, to hide the true extent of deforestation. But more often fires are the result of human stupidity and carelessness - an attempt to burn garbage or an unburnt fire for a barbecue can lead to irreparable consequences.
Introducing you top 10 most fire hazardous territories and regions of Russiain which fires erupt from year to year most often.
10. Chelyabinsk region
Every year, dozens of fires that occurred in the Chelyabinsk region are received from the Ministry of Emergencies. Not only forests burn there, but also steppes and fields. In the Plast district, a strong fire, which began on May 14, went through the Sanar forest, destroying valuable species of trees. It was possible to extinguish it only on May 16, by the efforts of hundreds of people. In total, more than 6 thousand hectares of forest burned down.
During a speech in the ChasPolit television program, Viktor Blinov, deputy head of the Chelyabinsk Region Forestry Department, called agricultural fires the main cause of fire disasters.
9. Kurgan region
Immediately in several areas of the Kurgan region an emergency regime was introduced in connection with the steppe and forest fires. And in the village of Mykraisky, fire destroyed part of the residential buildings.
Last year, 269 fires were recorded in the region, which covered an area of about 4 thousand hectares. At the same time, 99% of the centers of fires were eliminated in the first day.
8. Irkutsk region
In mid-May 2018, 11 forest fires were recorded in the region. They affected 241 hectares covered with forest and 12 non-forest hectares. Currently, fires are extinguished, but for many years Irkutsk Oblast has been one of the most fire hazardous regions of Russia.
7. Voronezh region
Last year, over 1.3 thousand fires occurred in the region. Of these, 14 are forest fires, twice as many as in 2016.
In 2018, from April 30, a special fire regime was introduced. Cars are not allowed into coniferous forests (except for special services - ambulance, fire brigade, police, etc.). And it is impossible to make bonfires not only in the forest, but also in the territory of country, gardening and trucking non-profit partnerships. Will these bans help reduce the number of fires in the Voronezh region? The results of the summer months will show.
6. Republic of Tuva
One of the most fire-hazardous regions of Russia has already been noted in the "fiery" statistics of 2018. Since the beginning of the fire hazard season of this year, 20 forest fires have been recorded on the lands of the forest fund of Tuva. Most of them occurred through the fault of the human factor.
5. Saratov region
Since the beginning of the fire hazard season, 35 forest fires have been registered in the region. As in most other regions, the trouble begins because farmers burn unnecessary vegetation in the fields. And the wind carries fire.
Authorities in the Saratov region predict that the number of fires will increase in July and August, when the grass begins to dry.
4. Krasnoyarsk Territory
For a short period from April 29 to May 2, over 80 natural fires were put out in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It took the forces of 1.1 thousand people, to which 200 units of equipment were allocated. Almost all the fires were to blame for people who burned grass in the fields. The fire quickly spread from agricultural land to forest territory. As a result, it was necessary to eliminate the fire in the territory in 1919.5 hectares.
3. The Republic of Buryatia
In 2018, two people were already killed in the elimination of forest fires that swept Buryatia. The culprit of the fire in the Kurumkansky district was a 64-year-old man who threw an unquenched cigarette onto the grass. Currently, 400 people and 70 pieces of equipment are involved in extinguishing fires. The total area covered by fire is more than 2 thousand hectares.
2. Amur region
Together with Buryatia and Transbaikalia, the Amur Region is one of the three leaders in terms of fire area. It has now identified 11 fires that have captured a vast territory - 7.3 thousand hectares. One of them destroys part of the unique Norsky nature reserve. Not only foresters, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the fire service, but also 276 paratroopers of the "Avialesokhrana" were sent to eradicate the foci.
1. Trans-Baikal Territory
The Trans-Baikal Territory is in first place in the ranking of the most fire hazardous places in Russia. An emergency regime has already been declared throughout its territory. Twenty forest fires covered an area of 9 thousand hectares. Seven fires were localized. The paratroopers are helping to extinguish the forests, and a total of 399 people and 82 pieces of equipment are involved.
Hasty, hooligan actions of people, and sometimes deliberate arson, are the main reason why forests burn in Transbaikalia and in other parts and regions of our list.
According to the press service of the Federal Aviation Protection Agency, in 59 regions of the Russian Federation, yellow (potentially dangerous), orange (medium) and red (highest) fire hazard levels are expected in the weather. Currently, the Kaliningrad region is considered safe.
What to do and where to call
If you witnessed a forest fire, immediately report this by phone:
- 112 - from mobile phones, (the call is free and possible without a SIM card).
- 8 (495) 449-99-99 - A single “helpline” of the Russian Emergencies Ministry.
- 8 (800) 100-94-00 - Hotline of the Federal Forestry Agency (free).
If possible, report the exact coordinates of the fire and the availability of settlements nearby.
