As a result of large-scale natural fires that began in the Kurgan region on May 7, six people died. Another 14 received various injuries, mostly burns, TASS reports citing doctors.
In connection with the fires in the region, a state of emergency was declared. Residents of several villages and towns were evacuated. The fires destroyed 42 houses in the area. Governor Vadim Shumkov promised to pay compensation to local residents who lost their property in the fires: 50,000 rubles each for those who completely lost their property, and 10,000 rubles each for those whose property was partially damaged.
Extinguishing is complicated by strong gusts of wind up to 20 m/s and abnormally hot weather. Firefighters have contained six of nine landscape fires and three of four wildfires, according to emergency services. Eight fires were completely extinguished.
In connection with the situation that has arisen, the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenko arrived in the region. Additional forces of two rescue centers, airmobile groups from Bashkiria and Perm, were transferred to the region, a detachment from Udmurtia is on the way. Three Il-76 aircraft, a Be-200 aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters are involved in the work.
Earlier, a criminal case on negligence was initiated in the region (part 2 of article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
The fire is also spreading in the Sverdlovsk, Orenburg and Tyumen regions. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the fire covered 56,000 hectares of forest. More than 6,000 people are involved in extinguishing fires in the regions, the service said. The most difficult situation arose in the Sverdlovsk region, where fires covered more than 33,000 hectares of forest.
Source : The Moscow Times
