Moscow and the Moscow Region smothered in smoke

Late in the evening of August 4, thick smog once again covered Moscow. The Moscow Region became one of seven regions declaring a state of emergency, according to the Emergencies Ministry.

On Wednesday morning, fire fighters reported about 17 forest fires and 13 peat bog fires covering 400 acres (162 hectares). Photo: Orekhovo-Borisovo Severnoye District, Moscow.

The Moscow Region is also shrouded in smog. A state of emergency was declared in the southeast of the region, where forests are burning. Photo: Kolomna, Moscow Region.

Visibility is extremely low. Environmentalists say Moscow and Moscow Region residents should not travel to avoid further pollution of the atmosphere. Photo: Kolomna, Moscow Region

Fire fighters extinguished 57 wildfires covering 477 acres (193.3 ha) and 63 grass fires covering about 2.5 acres (1 ha). Photo: Northern Administrative District, Moscow.

Drivers could not see oncoming vehicles in the smog. Driving around has become tricky. Photo: Ruza District. A bridge across the Ozerna River.

The heat is forcing Moscow Region residents to the beaches. The thick smoke does not deter them from swimming. Photo: the Ozerna River, Ruza District.

Employees of the Emergencies Ministry are on duty in the Yegoryevsk District round the clock due to the fires. Photo: Yegoryevsk, Moscow Region.

Fire fighting efforts include 3,763 people and 1,228 vehicles in the Moscow Region, including the fire fighting air units of the Emergencies Ministry and the Moscow Aviation Center. Photo: Yuzhnoye Butovo District. Public organizations take part in the fire fighting operations. Two Italian planes flew to Russia to help extinguish the forest fires. Arriving in Moscow at about 5 p.m., they will start working in the Moscow Region. Photo: The Yuzhnoye Butovo District.

In the early hours of August 5, the smog started clearing. Photo: Yuzhnoye Butovo District.