OREANDA-NEWS  Residents of Yakutia are prohibited from staying in the forest due to the establishment of fire hazard classes IV and V, a moratorium is introduced for 21 days, the press service of the Ministry of Ecology, Nature Management and Forestry of the republic reports.

A special fire-fighting regime operates in the region, where, according to operational data, 96 forest fires are observed on an area of 188.7 thousand hectares, of which 40 fires are extinguished on 129.8 thousand hectares. The remaining foci were found in hard-to-reach, remote places. "In connection with the establishment of fire hazard classes IV and V in forests on the territory of Yakutia... restrictions are being imposed on citizens' stay in forests, vehicles entering them, with the exception of through travel on public roads, including forest driveways and work carried out by citizens in forests for a period of 21 calendar days," the Ministry of Ecology said. According to the regional authorities, fires are raging in the Ust-May district, where the emergency regime is in effect. 29 fires have been registered here on an area of 125.5 thousand hectares.

"In total, 1.1 thousand people, 40 units of forest fire equipment are involved in fighting fire in the republic. Seven helicopters are working on the elimination of fires, 14 aircraft are on air patrol," the press service added.
Earlier it was reported that an interregional emergency regime is in effect on the territory of Yakutia due to forest fires.