Over 1,100 hectares of forest are on fire in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
In the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, efforts are underway to combat a large-scale forest fire, which has already spread across more than 1,100 hectares. This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
According to rescue workers, strong gusts of wind are causing the fire to spread rapidly across the area, engulfing new sections of the forest.
The situation is complicated by dry weather, strong winds and the risk of landmines in certain areas. Due to the threat of explosive ordnance in some parts of the forest, firefighting operations have been temporarily suspended.
Units of the State Emergency Service, specialist equipment and personnel from other services have been deployed to tackle the fire. Rescue workers are operating in an enhanced mode, localising the sources of the blaze and attempting to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Firefighting operations are ongoing.
It is also reported that in the north of the Chernihiv region, Russian shelling has caused a large-scale forest fire covering an area of around 2,400 hectares. The fire has engulfed the Yelinske and Tykhonovychske forest districts. Full-scale firefighting efforts there are being hampered by landmines and the threat from drones.
