Efforts to bring a large-scale forest fire under control are continuing in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Efforts to extinguish a large-scale fire are continuing in the forests of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Rescue workers from the State Emergency Service (SES) and firefighters from the ‘Pivnichna Pushcha’ State Forestry Enterprise are currently working at the scene. In total, over 200 people and around 60 pieces of specialist equipment have been deployed to tackle the blaze.
To ensure fire engines can reach the sources of the blaze, roads are being cleared using heavy engineering machinery. In addition, mineralised firebreaks are being laid using specialised equipment to contain the spread of the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the forest.
The work of the rescue teams is being hampered by the weather conditions. Due to the heat, temperatures directly at the centres of the fires are reaching around 50 degrees Celsius in some places.
The State Emergency Service notes that firefighters are working in extremely difficult conditions due to the high temperatures and thick smoke.
Radiation levels in the area where operations are taking place are constantly being monitored. Measurements show that levels remain within normal limits.
