Forest fires are one of the worst disasters on Earth. People are deprived of their homes, and often their lives, thousands of animals perish, trees - the "living lungs" of the planet, burn down. And although the authorities of all regions of Russia are intensively preparing for the "hot season", fires still break out here and there. There are also deliberate arson attacks, for example, to hide the true extent of deforestation. But more often the fires are the result of human stupidity and carelessness - an attempt to burn garbage or an unfired fire for a barbecue can lead to irreparable consequences.
Introducing you top 10 most fire hazardous territories and regions of Russia, in which fires break out most often from year to year.
10. Chelyabinsk region
Every year, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reports dozens of fires that have occurred in the Chelyabinsk region. Not only forests are burning there, but also steppes and fields. In the Plastovsky district, a strong fire, which began on May 14, swept through the Sanarsky Bor, destroying valuable tree species. It was possible to extinguish it only on May 16, through the efforts of hundreds of people. In total, more than 6 thousand hectares of forest burned down
During his speech on the TV program "ChasPolit", the deputy head of the main forestry department of the Chelyabinsk region, Viktor Blinov, called agricultural burns the main cause of fire disasters.
9. Kurgan region
In several districts of the Kurgan region, an emergency regime was introduced in connection with steppe and forest fires. And in the village of Mykraisky, the 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 hotbeds 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 of forested and 12 non-forested hectares. At present, the fires have been extinguished, but the Irkutsk Region has been among the most fire hazardous regions of Russia for several years.
7. Voronezh region
Over 1.3 thousand fires occurred in the region last year. Of these, 14 are forest fires, twice as many as in 2016.
In 2018, as early as April 30, a special fire regime was introduced. The entry of cars into coniferous forests is prohibited (except for cars of special services - ambulance, fire brigade, police, etc.). And you can't make fires not only in the forest, but also on the territory of summer cottages, horticultural and horticultural non-profit partnerships. Whether these bans will 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 flammable regions of Russia has already been noted in the “fire” statistics of 2018. Since the beginning of the fire hazardous season of this year, 20 forest fires have been recorded on the lands of the forest fund of Tuva. Most of them were caused by the human factor.
5. Saratov region
Since the beginning of the fire hazardous season, 35 forest fires have been registered in the region. As in most other regions, the trouble starts with farmers burning unnecessary vegetation in their fields. And the wind blows the fire.
The Saratov region authorities 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 wildfires were extinguished in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It took the forces of 1.1 thousand people, to help whom 200 pieces of equipment were allocated. Almost all the fires were caused by the people who burned the grass in the fields. The fire quickly spread from agricultural land to forest area. As a result, it was necessary to extinguish the fire on the territory of 1919.5 hectares.
3. Republic of Buryatia
In 2018, two people have already died in the liquidation of forest fires that engulfed Buryatia. The culprit of the fire in the Kurumkansky district was a 64-year-old man who threw an unquenched cigarette on the grass. Currently, 400 people and 70 pieces of equipment are involved in extinguishing fires. The total area engulfed in 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 the area of fires. It has now revealed 11 fires, which captured a huge territory - 7.3 thousand hectares. One of them destroys part of the unique natural reserve "Norskiy". Not only foresters, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the fire service, but also 276 paratroopers of Avialesoohrana were sent to eliminate the outbreaks.
1. Trans-Baikal Territory
In the first place in the rating of the most fire hazardous places in Russia is the Trans-Baikal Territory. A state of emergency has already been declared throughout its territory. Twenty forest fires covered an area of 9 thousand hectares. Seven fires were localized. Paratroopers assist in extinguishing forests, and a total of 399 people and 82 pieces of equipment are involved.
Reckless, hooligan actions of people, and sometimes deliberate arson - this is the main reason why the forests in Transbaikalia and in other territories and regions from our list are burning.
According to the press service of FBU Avialesokhrana, in 59 regions of the Russian Federation, yellow (potentially dangerous), orange (medium) and red (highest) fire hazard levels are expected in the weather. The Kaliningrad region is currently considered safe.
What to do and where to call
If you witness a forest fire, immediately report it by phone:
- 112 - from mobile phones, (the call is free and possible without a SIM card).
- 8 (495) 449-99-99 - A single "helpline" EMERCOM of Russia.
- 8 (800) 100-94-00 - Hotline of the Federal Forestry Agency (free of charge).
Provide, if possible, the exact coordinates of the fire and the presence of settlements nearby.