Thick Smog of Peat and Forest Fires Covers Moscow

In addition to unbearably hot weather, Muscovites now suffer from strong smell and thick smoke of peat fires. The smoke has already reached the center of Moscow, RIA Novosti reports.

Photo: Thick Smog of Peat and Forest Fires Covers Moscow

About 10,000 officers of Russia's EMERCOM, as well as planes and helicopters, are currently trying to extinguish the fires in the Moscow region.

The cloud of pungent smoke could be seen in the south-west and in the west of Moscow. The visibility on the roads was not more than 300-500 meters. The situation in the south, south-east and in the east of the city is much worse - the smoke there is thicker.

The content of toxic and harmful substances in the air has increased in the Russian capital during the morning hours. The content of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide and suspended particles in the air exceeds the norm several times. The common level of the air pollution in Moscow on Monday morning (July 26) exceeded the norm 5-8 times.

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Ecologists recommend Muscovites should avoid taking long walks or staying outdoors for a long time, especially on the territories where the air pollution is especially strong. First and foremost, this is recommended for children, elderly people, pregnant women and for people having respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The website of the Moscow Ecological monitoring Service uploaded the map of Moscow showing the levels of the air pollution in the capital. The website is updated every 20 minutes.

Specialists have reported 63 forest fires taking place on the outskirts of the city on the total square of 71 hectares.

Anomalous heat has been torturing Central Russia since the middle of June. Temperatures are expected to lower from 38-39 to at least 30 degrees by the end of this week.

The smoke has not affected the work of Moscow airports. Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports are working normally, no flights have been canceled, officials said.

However, the smog above Moscow may last for two or three months, ecologists say. Russia's Chief Therapist Alexander Chuchalin recommends Muscovites and residents of other territories should stay outside as short as possible.

Summer temperatures in Moscow have already set nine records in just 1.5 months.