Smoke from peatbog fires envelops Moscow

According to Itar-Tass correspondents, smoke covers most heavily the southeastern sector of Moscow and the adjacent regional cities of Lyubertsy, Ramenskoye, as well as Zhukovsky. In the latter, it is hard to discern the outline of a building, located 300 metres away, even from the fourth floor of an apartment house and even with street lighting on.

Visibility on the motor roads has sharply declined. Street lights are enveloped in smoke halo. The drivers of motor vehicles have to lower speed and switch on «emergency" headlights.

An official in the reference room of the city air hub told Itar-Tass earlier that Moscow airports are operating as usual so far, despite the dense haze.

Railwaymen, in view of poor visibility, have taken special safety measures. An officer on duty at the management office of the Moscow Railway told Itar-Tass, "Loco drivers have been directed to sound loud sirens and switch on antifog headlights». They have been also advised to turn on sirens while approaching railway stations, nearby populated areas, and railway crossings.

According to Moscow weathermen, air temperature in Moscow is about 28 degrees above zero (Celsius). The velocity of easterly wind is one metre per second.

The largest foci of peatbog fires are located in the east and southeast of Moscow Region, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com