Russian Emergencies Minister arrives in Irkutsk

Russian Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Irkutsk (Siberia) on Thursday. A RIA Novosti correspondent reports that upon arrival he will set for the town of Angarsk, where fire extinguishing training exercises will be held. A training field where oil tanks and tank-cars are placed has been specially opened to carry out such training exercises. It is envisaged to burn a few tons of fuel to create a real atmosphere during the exercises. About 500 firemen of the Emergencies Ministry and fire-fighting machines are engaged in the training exercises. The Minister is to hold a session on forest fire fighting in Irkutsk. Chiefs of Emergencies Commissions, the heads of Regional Departments of the Emergencies Ministry and the Federal Fire Service and representatives of nature protection organizations are to take part in the session.