Forest fire in Chernihiv Oblast caused by Russian strikes has spread to 5,800 hectares – photos

A major forest fire is raging in the area under the Koriukivka forest management office in Chernihiv Oblast, near the border with Russia. The fire, which broke out on 5 May due to Russian attacks, has spread over 5,800 hectares.

Source: Northern Forest Office, a branch of the Forests of Ukraine, the state-owned forest management company under Ukraine's State Forest Resources Agency

Details: The fire has engulfed forests under three forest management offices and affected parts of a fourth. Most seats of fire are located in areas inaccessible to full-scale firefighting efforts.

Personnel from the forest management offices have been tackling the blaze since day one, including building mineralised firebreaks, containing its spread with backpack sprayers, supplying water and deploying heavy machinery.

A total of 129 km of mineralised firebreaks have been built. Tractors equipped with disc harrows and ploughs are being used in the operation.

Quote: "The most difficult part is working under the constant threat of attacks. While forest management personnel are holding back the fire front, Russian forces continue to attack the area.

Risking their own lives, forest protection teams are doing everything possible to prevent the fire from spreading further."

Details: The Northern Forest Office noted that rainfall has partially helped the situation.

The Office adds that the fire could have been extinguished on the first day if the area had been accessible and not under constant attack.

Background: Earlier reports indicated that 2,400 hectares of forest were burning along the border with Russia in Chernihiv Oblast due to Russian attacks.

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