Russian President Declares State of Emergency In Fire Areas

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared a state of emergency in seven Russian regions because of wildfires. In central and western Russia, fires in 14 regions have scorched more than 300,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,500 homes, killed 40 people and left more than 2,000 people homeless, according to the BBC.

Crews are beginning to get a handle on the 1,200 or so initial blazes that began after weeks of unusually high temperatures and drought conditions. According to The Voice of Russia, less than half remain active but temperatures are expected to climb over the 100 degree mark again this week.

According to Russia's Emergency Ministry, 500 new blazes had been discovered over the past 24 hours but most were immediately extinguished. ##Nearly 250,000 emergency workers have been deployed to fight the fires, according to the BBC.

The city of Moscow is shrouded in smoke from burning peat bogs and nearby forest fires but the state of emergency restricts public access to the affected regions. ##"It's difficult to stay in the city - it's stuffy and very hot. People want to escape to the countryside. That's where we must be very careful and cautious. We must remember that one dropped match could result in disaster," President Medvedev said in an address to the nation Monday.

Regional authorities have been ordered to restrict people's movements in the affected areas and to tighten fire safety regulations, according to the Hindustani Times.

Army and Interior Ministry troops have been called in to fight the fires and it was suggested to local authorities to involve volunteers and social organizations in firefighting and relief work, according to the Times.

President Medvedev assured victims who lost homes he will help them get back their normal lives as soon as possible. "I've given instructions to the government and to the regional authorities to allocate money to each and every one who has incurred losses," he said.

"We must provide housing to everyone who has been left homeless. And this should be done before it gets cold," the President said.


Author:Barbara Brooks - Fire Department Network News