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Forest Fire Erupts Dangerously Close to Chernobyl Nuclear Plant

© Sputnik / Andrei Aleksandrov / Go to the mediabankThe Gomel Region -- part of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone
The Gomel Region -- part of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone - Sputnik International
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The forest fire is being fought by more than 200 firefighters, National Guard was put on high alert.

A forest fire has erupted in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. More than 200 firefighters, 15 fire engines, two aircraft and one helicopter are battling the fire, according to Ukraine's acting emergencies minister Zoran Shkiryak.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his Facebook page that as of 6:30 PM Kiev time (3:30 PM GMT) the situation had gotten worse and the fire was approaching the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

На 18.30 ситуация с лесным пожаром вокруг Чернобыльской станции обострилась. Пламя вновь атакует лесной массив в направл…

Posted by Arsen Avakov on Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Chernobyl: Remembering the Worst Human Made Disaster - Sputnik International
Chernobyl: Remembering the Worst Human Made Disaster
"The forest fire is heading in the direction of Chernobyl's installations. Treetop flames and strong gusts of wind have created a real danger of the fire spreading to an area within 20 kilometers of the power plant. There are about 400 hectares [988 acres] of forests in the endangered area. The Prime Minister has called an urgent session of the emergencies commission. National Guard and Interior Ministry forces have been put on combat alert", Avakov's statement reads.

The emergency situation presented by forest fires in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Zone of Alienation is under control, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said later.

Earlier, Ukrainian authorities reported three forest fires in the vicinity of the Chernobyl plant, but said they did not pose a threat to local residents nor to the NPP. The total area of the fires covers an estimated 400 hectares.

"After traveling to the exclusion zone the prime minister told reporters at the airport that the situation is under control. Areas engulfed in flames are located at a distance of about 20 kilometers from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant," a statement on the Ukrainian government’s website said.

According to the statement, Yatsenyuk has stressed that the authorities are tackling the situation despite the fact that the fire is the largest seen since 1992.

© Sputnik / Igor Kostin / Go to the mediabankAn accident happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station on April 26, 1986. The Chernobyl electricity plant as seen from the fourth power unit.
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station - Sputnik International
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An accident happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station on April 26, 1986. The Chernobyl electricity plant as seen from the fourth power unit.
© Sputnik / Alexei Furman / Go to the mediabankRusting amusement park evacuated after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the town of Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Exclusion zone on eve of 27th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster - Sputnik International
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Rusting amusement park evacuated after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the town of Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Furman / Go to the mediabankThe damaged 4th unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and a memorial sign "Heroes, Professionals - those who protected the world from nuclear disaster" in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
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The damaged 4th unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and a memorial sign "Heroes, Professionals - those who protected the world from nuclear disaster" in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
© Sputnik / Vladimir VyatkinThe 6th clinical hospital where victims of the Chernobyl disaster were brought. Examination of a patient in one of the wards
The 6th clinical hospital where victims of the Chernobyl disaster were brought. Examination of a patient in one of the wards - Sputnik International
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The 6th clinical hospital where victims of the Chernobyl disaster were brought. Examination of a patient in one of the wards
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An accident happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station on April 26, 1986. The Chernobyl electricity plant as seen from the fourth power unit.
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Rusting amusement park evacuated after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the town of Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
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The damaged 4th unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and a memorial sign "Heroes, Professionals - those who protected the world from nuclear disaster" in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
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The 6th clinical hospital where victims of the Chernobyl disaster were brought. Examination of a patient in one of the wards

The Chernobyl disaster, which happened on April 26, 1986, was the worst human-made nuclear power plant accident in history. An explosion and fire at Reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant released large quantities of radioactive particles into the atmosphere which spread over western parts of the USSR and Europe. 

 

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