Firefighters in Russia cut by half the area of the country on fire from 18,000 hectares to 11,000 hectares by August 1, but new wildfires threaten the nation.
Meteorologists say that strong winds are possible soon and may set off a new series of fires.
Wildfires raging in central Russia due to abnormally hot weather have claimed 30 lives, left 2,210 people homeless and caused damage esitmated at over 4.6 billion rubles ($150 million), the Regional Development Ministry said on Sunday.
The wildfires have affected 14 Russian regions, destroyed a total of 1,875 homes, with the most severe destruction in the Nizhny Novgorod, Voronezh and Ryazan regions, the ministry said, citing data from late July 31.
Servicemen completed installation of a pipeline in Yegorievsk district, Moscow region, on August 1 to carry water to fire-damaged areas. Another pipeline in Shatura district, Moscow region is still under construction. Each of the pipelines will deliver up to 3,000 cubic meters of water per day.
A firefighting unit in Voronezh region has been expanded from 1,800 to 3,000 people. Two Emergencies Ministry aircraft, an Il-76 Candid and an Mi-8 Hip helicopter, as well as 500 fire engines are working to fight fires in the region. The area on fire in the Voronezh region has been cutfrom 3,200 hectares to 2,200 hectares over the last few days.
Homeless fire victims from Voronezh region received 20,000 rubles ($660) in compensation on Sunday.
MOSCOW, August 1 (RIA Novosti)
