AN UNBEARABLE COMBINATION OF A HEAT WAVE, high winds, and an ongoing drought have combined to put much of Russia into a state of emergency as wildfires break out by the scores. The size and numbers of the fires have outstripped the country’s ability to reasonably handle the emergency.
AFP
As of Sunday morning, more than 500 sq. miles of land are burning in 14 different regions of the country. So far, at least 30 people are dead and untold thousands are homeless as many entire villages, 77 at least, have been destroyed.
Entire towns have been overrun by the flames (AFP)
Russia Today filed this raw video documenting the devastation of one town:
More than 2,000 homes have been lost along with thousands of acres of cropland.
AFP
About 230,000 people, firefighters, military and others, are engaged in the efforts to control the fires. The army has dispatched all 300 of its firetrucks to assist the local FD’s and 226 aircraft are deployed.
Reuters photos
Temperatures have been exceeding 40º C. (104º F.) every day and are predicted to continue.
Reuters
All of central Russia is covered with smoke from the hundreds of fires still burning and growing.
The city of Voronezh is covered with smoke (AFP)
This home video taken Friday evening shows a large fire encroaching on the city of Vyksa:
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