In the Siberian Federal District of the Russian Federation, the territory covered by the raging fire elements occupied 1 thousand 180 square kilometers. The fire in Siberia turned into a real disaster, which rescuers and firefighters fought with.
Scary reports for spring 2015
The county forestry department provided statistics. According to the report, from the first spring days in different places of the forests of Transbaikalia, the republics of Buryatia and Tuva, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Chita and Irkutsk Regions - a total area of 336,300 hectares - 969 fire centers were recorded.
The number of victims was 30 people. The settlements that the fire completely destroyed are in the tens. Due to the disaster, 5 thousand people now have no roof over their heads. The fiery front swiftly swept through neighboring Mongolia and approached the borders of the PRC. Forest fires in Siberia were particularly devastating.
How did the events unfold?
On April 12, it became known that fires were spreading rapidly in Khakassia, acquiring menacing proportions. It all started with the fact that the locals, by an old habit, burned dry grass last year. As a result, the fire quickly spread to the construction of nearby settlements. Rapid propagation to a large extent contributed to a strong wind. In just one night, 1,200 residential buildings burned out, with 15 people on the list of the dead. A fire in Siberia was extinguished by all fire protection units, and rescuers worked.
The rate of increase in the area covered by fire was tens of thousands of hectares per day. Aircraft designed to extinguish the fire could not be involved due to the powerful wind. The situation became so serious that the authorities were forced to introduce a state of emergency until May . All attempts to eliminate fires by the forestry protection service could not be called successful. They only had time to put out in one place, when a fire arose in another.
Causes of fires in Siberia
A number of factors, including dry air and strong winds, explain why fires break out in Siberia from year to year. As already mentioned above, it has become a habit among agricultural residents to burn dry grass with the advent of spring. The lands adjoin the forests in which different species of trees grow. Therefore, ignition occurs quite easily, and not necessarily from smoldering logs or a cigarette butt left by tourists, but even from lightning.
Although in this case, the Russian president was offered a version according to which saboteurs from the political opposition set fire to them. No one wants to admit that the fire in Siberia occurred due to human negligence.
How to save Siberia?
Forest fire experts (almost 3 thousand people) and fire fighting equipment (more than 500 units) were involved in extinguishing fires . In addition, they were assisted by army units and aircraft. The huge area of fires in Siberia caused panic among local residents.
The authorities promised the victims of the fire to compensate material damage in the amount of 100 thousand rubles. to everyone who asked for help, which in terms of foreign currency is slightly more than 1 thousand "green". This money began to be issued a month after signing the corresponding decree. Literally seven days passed before the humanitarian aid arrived in time for the victims . In order to prevent fires, as well as prevent unnecessary victims, the following measures were introduced:
- a strict ban on the sale of alcohol and hiking in the forest;
- young men of draft age will not be temporarily drafted into the army;
- granting a pre-emptive right to enter and study at universities of children who have lost their parents due to a fire.
By the end of the summer, 2 thousand residential buildings were built in Khakassia. Residents of the affected areas were told that they should not wait until special services or military personnel clear the rubble. There were proposals to organize a community work day.
Causes of chaos
From many years of experience it is clear that people are not trained in the basics of extinguishing fires. There are no concepts regarding compliance with fire safety standards. Life, as they say, does not teach anything. As soon as disaster strikes, rescue operations are carried out extremely disorganized, chaotically. In most cases, the population is evacuated late. People are left alone with the elements. That is why the area of forest fires in Siberia was so massive.
Be that as it may, fires continue to blaze every year (in spring and summer), although by common efforts they manage to limit them and reduce the area. Every time the population has great hopes for heavy rain. The culprit of the fires in 2015 has already been identified. It turned out to be Ruslan Balagur, who led the State Forest Service in Transbaikalia. He was detained in the city of Chita, charged with negligence.
Attention from the President of the Russian Federation
The head of state personally got acquainted with the situation, he did this on April 21. Putin talked to those who were left homeless due to a fire. They were given the opportunity to temporarily stay in a shelter, which the president also visited. This event was covered by the First television channel. All Russia sympathized with the families of the victims. Siberia extinguished the fire with all the forces that were sent from all regions of the country by order of the president.
Vladimir Putin, in particular, focused on the responsibility of managers, and the guilt should have been established on the basis of a thorough investigation. In a relaxed atmosphere, talking over a cup of tea and enjoying home-made cakes, the head of the country strongly recommended that representatives of the local administration simplify bureaucratic schemes when restoring documents. The unsatisfactory condition of the fire fighting measures was indicated. Despite the fact that large-scale fires take place every year, the necessary conclusions have not been made.
On the eve of his departure, the president instructed the leaders of the Trans-Baikal Territory until September to provide permanent housing to everyone who needs it. Moreover, the main purpose of the next visit will be to verify the fulfillment of the order. Today, the fire in Siberia has been stopped, but it is possible that the situation may repeat next year.