Thirteen wildfires spreading across Siberia

20:09, 28 May 2012

KRASNOYARSK. May 28. KAZINFORM Thirteen wildfires spreading over the territory of 153.5 hectares are registered in Siberia's three regions - the Trans-Baikal region, the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Buryatia, the press service of the Siberian emergencies department told Itar-Tass on Monday.

"Over the past 24 hours 18 wildfires were reported on the territory of the Siberian Federal District. Fires in the Novosibirsk, Kemerovo regions and the Altai Territory were put out," the source said. "Around 239 firefighters and 33 vehicles were engaged in the operation."

Weather forecasters say within the upcoming days the fire hazard remains high, Itar-Tass reports.

"Transborder fires on the territory of Russia - in the Omsk, Novosibirsk, regions, the Altai and Trans-Baikal territories, the republics of Tuva and Altai as well as in the neighbouring countries of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China are possible," the press service said.

Since this year's fire season 4,368 wildfires engulfing 495,154 hectares have been registered on the territory of the Siberian federal district.