Area of forest fires in Tuva increases by 400 hectares

The area of forest fires has sharply increased in Tuva over 24 hours - from 67 to 458.5 hectares, ITAR-TASS learnt at the press service of the Main Department of the Ministry for Emergencies for the republic. Over the past 24 hours, five new fires broke out in the republic on the area of about 300 hectares, however, one of the fires on the area of 20 hectares was localized. A total of 72 people and six units of equipment are involved in extinguishing wild fires. All in all, 91 forest fires on the total area of more than 39,000 hectares were registered in Tuva since the beginning of the fire season which began in the republic in mid-April. Last year 223 forest fires on the area of about 27,000 hectares occurred in the republic. By the end of May, the emergency regime announced on the whole territory of the republic was cancelled in Tuva. Planes and helicopters of the Ministry for Emergencies and the Defense Ministry of Russia were involved in extinguishing fires.