Emergency regime announced in Tuva over forest fires

An emergency regime has been announced in four regions of Tuva over big forest fires, a duty officer of the republic’s forest agency told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. Over the past 24 hours the number of fire beds increased from 32 to 36 scorching big acreage of 1,900 hectares. Dry weather triggered Tuva’s forest fires in late August.

Local weather forecasters say heat waves exceeding 30 degrees above zero will continue and no rains are expected.

Later in the day, the republican emergencies commission will hold a meeting to discuss the emergency regime and search for additional funds to fight forest fires. Tuva’s forest agency has already spent all funds allocated for fire-fighting measures, as this year the republic faces most dangerous fire season.

At present, 371 rescuers, 48 hardware units, two An-2 planes, Mi-26 and Mi-8 helicopters are engaged in fire-fighting operations.

As of April 1, a total of 241 forest fires have been registered in the republic covering over 38,000 hectares, which is two times more as against last year’s figures.