MOSCOW, August 4 (Itar-Tass) —— An overall wildfire area in central Russia is by 90 times less in 2011 than it was in 2010, with no large-scale fires reported, Alexander Kats, the head of the Central region emergencies centre, said on Thursday.
“Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,100 wildfires have been reported in the Central federal district, which is by four times less than in the same period last year,” he told a news conference. “The fire area has reduced by 91 times as compared with the same period in 2010.”
These results, in his words, were achieved “though titanic effort of various ministries and agencies.” Aircraft made up to 25 flights a day to monitor the situation.
Last summer, central Russian regions experienced unprecedented wave of wildfires. “I’d like to say that a vast work has been done this year to prevent large-scale fires,” Kats said and added that this year wildfires in central Russian regions are put out on the same day when they are reported.
“I would like to say that we maintain close contacts with the federal forestry protection authority (Rosleskhoz),” he noted.
In his words, weather conditions this year were no better than last year with hot weather setting in for a long period of time. “The weather has not pampered central Russia but fire fighting forces have stood the test,” he added.