Forest fires are subdued in Russia's Kurgan region

Forest fires in the Ketovsky district of Russia's Kurgan region have been subdued and are under control, the Russian emergencies ministry told RIA Novosti.

There have remained only separate fire seats. Emergencies ministry aircraft helped reduce the fire area by 70% to 800 hectares, according to the ministry.

Two Il-76 planes, three MI-26 helicopters and two MI-8 copters are engaged in the fire fighting effort.

The aircraft have made 36 sorties and poured 3,741 tonnes of water onto the forests.

A group of fire-fighters were creating mineralised strips, were setting counter fires and monitored fire developments.

"All residential houses and economic facilities have been properly protected from fire," reported the ministry.

Crowning fire in Kurgan's forestry broke out on May 14, when 11 villages appeared in the emergency zone. 385 houses have burnt down, 8 persons have died and 740 people, among them 242 children, have been evacuated since the start of forest fires.

2,034 people, 193 vehicles and 9 aircraft, including 825 emergencies ministry rescuers, 80 vehicles and 7 aircraft, are engaged in fire fighting.