Forest Fires To Cause Emergency In Khabarovsk Region

Forest fires may soon cause an emergency in the Khabarovsk region, Russia's Far East, said Vladimir Kolomytsev, a deputy federal natural resources minister for the Far Eastern region. He said a daily 10 to 25 fire foci emerged in the region throughout the week. Fires are breaking out by motor roads near populated areas, something that proves man has a hand in starting forest fires, believes Kolomytsev. The local interior ministry department has sent investigating teams to the scenes, according to the regional natural resources department. In some districts, the locals have been barred from entering the forests. The authorities, however, are not in for banning forest travels, but introducing a related procedure, similar to that in the US and other countries, according to Kolomytsev. Hunters and walkers in those countries have to register with the forest security services notifying them about their routes.