Wildfires Rage on in Central Russia

Society » ENVIRONMENT | July 31, 2010, Saturday // 15:43
Bulgaria: Wildfires Rage on in Central Russia Landmarks in Moscow are occluded by smog and smoke from peat fires blazing in the Russian countryside. Photo by EPA.

More than 240,000 persons are engaged in taming wildfires that have been sweeping central Russia for the last couple of days, reports RIA Novosti Saturday.

Authorities are mustering all efforts to extinguish the disastrous flames, but to now avail at this time.

The fires have claimed the lives of at least 29 persons and have destroyed traditional villages with wooden houses, reports Deutsche Welle.

Forests and peat moors have caught flame after a week of unprecedented heat fell over continental Russia, with a record 38.2 degree C temperature measured in capital Moscow.

Moscow air is stifled by smoke from blazing wildfires in the countryside. In some areas an emergency situation has been called.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was seen traveling across ravaged regions to offer help and express support.

Peat fires are very hard to extinguish because of especially the high carbon content of peat, which can remain smoldering for long periods of time. In many areas the wildfires have turned into firestorms, reported a senior official in the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations.

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Tags: wildfire, forest fire, emergency, Russia, Moscow, heat, Vladimir Putin

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