The Russian military on Wednesday joined efforts to fight forest fires that have engulfed nearly 30,000 square kilometers of territory in Siberia and the Russian Far East — an area the size of Belgium.
The move, which includes sending military transport planes and helicopters that can drop water on fires, came after an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Indonesia is stepping up efforts to fight spreading forest fires in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo Island that have moved closer to residential areas and public roads.
The dry season is expected to peak soon in the province, prompting the authorities to increase their fire-fighting efforts.
Fire crews with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry continue to battle a number of forest fires in northwestern Ontario, with three new fires added to the list as of Monday evening.
One fire, Red Lake Fire 42, which was located in Pikangikum First Nation, was declared out at 0.1 hectares, according to fire information officer Jonathan Scott.
Billowing smoke from forest fires has forced community members to flee from two First Nations in southeastern Manitoba.
Evacuations are currently underway in Little Grand Rapids First Nation — and will soon begin in Pauingassi First Nation — for people facing the highest health risks due to smoke from nearby wildfires in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) through institutions such as the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police is expected to deploy thousands of officers to reduce forest fires this year.
Forest fires broke out in several locations in the central province of Ha Tinh on Sunday, according to local authorities.
Pham Tien Hung, deputy chairman of the Nghi Xuan district People’s Committee, said by 10:30am on Sunday, a forest fire in Xuan Hong commune was controlled, though officials were continuing to patrol the scene in case the fire reoccurs.