While the coronavirus outbreak has most of the world on hold, another disturbing outbreak has taken over much of Siberia and the Russian Far East. Forest fires, common in the region following the winter thaw, are ablaze spreading at an alarming speed. President Vladimir Putin is calling for vigilance during these difficult times. (1)
Siberia Fire Versus Covid-19
President Putin discussed the issue via video conference with Emergencies Minister Evgeny Zinichev on April 27, 2020. “All the efforts are now primarily concentrated on countering the spread of the coronavirus,” says Putin. “However, this must not divert our attention from other potential threats to people’s lives and safety.” (1)
Siberia Fire Captured By NASA
NASA images captured via satellite on April 27, 2020 showed nine regions affected by the wildfires. “The main reason, of course, is unauthorized and uncontrolled agricultural fires,” says Zinichev. “A less snowy winter, an abnormal winter, and insufficient soil moisture are factors that create the conditions for the transition of landscape fires to settlements.” (1, 2)
Siberia Fire Set By Humans
It is common practice for locals to set grass fires in the spring. However, according to Sergei Anoprienko, head of the federal forest agency Rosleskhoz, there is a ban on dry gas fires. (1)
Zinichev says fires pose a threat for “significant damage or even death.” As a result he is calling for stricter rules and penalties for those starting the fires. (1)
Siberia Fire And Self-Isolation
Interestingly, Anoprienko is putting blame on self-isolation due to the pandemic. “People self-isolated outdoors and forgot about fire safety rules,” he says. Unseasonably warm temperatures have not only aggravated the situation but have also made it difficult for people self-isolating to stay indoors. “In some regions, the temperature is already around 30C, and people just can’t keep themselves in their apartments,” says Anopreinko. “People rushed outdoors, and as a result we have a surge of thermal points.” (1)
Siberia Fire Worse This Year
The Trans-Baikal region is the hardest hit and remains in emergency mode. “In total, on April 28 of this year, 3,339 outbreaks were recorded, compared with last year – 1,960,” says Anoprienko. “The area covered by fires since the beginning of the year is 477,000 hectares. Last year, on this day was 382,000 hectares.” (1)
These numbers represent as much as 10 times more area damaged by fire in some regions when compared to last year. (1)
May Holidays And Siberia Fire
As the annual May holidays are underway from May 1 to the 11th, despite the lockdown orders, many will leave their homes to head to the country. This can make a big difference to forecasts made by the government. “An abnormally warm winter, an arid spring, and the human factor have made adjustments to our forecasts,” says Anoprienko. “We can keep talking about the forecast for a very long time, but the actual fire situation will literally depend on us and you – on how we will behave.” (1)
Varying Causes Of Siberia Fire
This concern is based on varying causes of fire which have also included unattended campfires in Shelekhov district and arson in the Irkutsk region and the village of Zarechnoye. In one curious case, four district officials tried to start a fire using gas canisters. Those charged with arson face a fine including the cost of outing the fires. (1)
In some regions, extinguished fires can restart. With winds of up to 80km an hour and temperatures reaching 25C the fires start and spread easily. There are approximately 600 firefighters working to out the fires despite social distancing restrictions. (1)
Siberia Fire Impact
“The current situation in several regions is already quite difficult,” says Putin. In the fall of last year a plan was put in place regarding forest fires, but they have yet to be put into action. (1)
According to Putin, the announcement of the plan is not enough. “This is not enough,” he says. “They should be fully implemented so that they have a tangible, real impact on people’s lives.” (1)
So far, the fires have affected several areas destroying about 77 houses in their path. Smoke pollution is also an issue, which is so thick in some areas it forced a helicopter using spill buckets out of commission. Resident evacuation was necessary in the hardest hit areas and the fires burn on. The fact some officials are pointing their fingers at Covid-19 as an additional cause for the fires shows yet another example of how the pandemic is impacting our daily lives. (1)
