161 fires reported in Far East

Aircraft and helicopters of the Far Eastern base of forest protection have reported 161 fires in the Far Eastern federal district, chief of the base, Alexander Lyubyakin, said. According to him, over the past 24 hours alone fire has swept a territory of 4,600 hectares, while since the start of the fire-hazardous period, i.e. since mid-April, fires have destroyed some 32,600 hectares of forests. As many as 1,500 people, 26 aircraft and 230 fire-fighting vehicles are now busy extinquishing the fire.