Russian forest fires rage over 100,000 hectares

             

There are now 645 forest fires burning in Russia with a combined territory that exceeds 100,000 hectares as of May 19, according to Interfax Information Services.

The Emergency Situations Ministry told the news agency that 178 new seats of fire appeared on May 18 alone, spreading over 16,000 hectares.

The biggest fires are registered in Siberia, with 61 fires in the Chita region raging over 97,400 hectares. Due to a strong wind, the fire spread from the Chita region to neighboring Mongolia.

Since the beginning of the forest fire season, more than 730,000 hectares have been affected. Efforts to fight the fires involve over 8,000 people and 1,477 units of equipment, including 72 helicopters and planes.