Forest fires and brush fires are still raging in areas of the Russian Federation. At present, a total of 324 fires are burning, most of them in Northwest Russia. Finns moving about in Northwest Russia are urged to exercise caution. The situation regarding the fires is the worst in Vyborg and Kingisepp districts, where a state of emergency is in force. In addition, the Russian authorities have forbidden moving about in forested areas in Leningrad Region and in the Karelian Republic.
In recent days, 140 fires have been discovered in Leningrad Region; the corresponding figure is 119 in the Karelian Republic. Four extensive fires are burning in Leningrad Region and one in the Karelian Republic. In Murmansk Region, the fires are not in the vicinity of settled areas. Especially problematic are fires in peatlands, which are difficult to put out.
In the Vaalimaa-St. Petersburg area there are several small fires in forests and in the brush, for instance in the area between Siestarjoki and Terijoki, which administratively falls under the jurisdiction of St. Petersburg. In places the Vaalimaa-St. Petersburg highway is covered by a thick screen of smoke. The smoke may cause visibility problems on the road as well as breathing difficulties among the sick. So far, there have been no detrimental effects of smoke in the city of St. Petersburg.
At the moment there are no major fires near Finland’s borders.
Additional information: First Secretary Marja Liivala, Unit for Russia, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5652
The satellite picture shown here, provided by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, illustrates the fire situation in neighbouring areas on 14 August at 2:17 PM. The green markings on the picture indicate fires that have been burning since 7 August, while red markings show fires that started some time today.
