MOSCOW (July 23) XINHUA - Forest fires continued to spread in Russia's Far Eastern region of Khabarovsk despite rain, the Itar-Tass news agency reported Friday.
Fires have engulfed another 7,000 hectares over the past 24 hours, bringing the total area of taiga in fire to 44,000 hectares, Tass said, quoting Vladimir Mukovaz of the Far Eastern anti-fire air service.
Fortunately, rain did help to localize 30 fires and eliminate another 17 in the region that declared a state of emergency last Tuesday.
Mukovoz described the situation as "extremely difficult," saying over 1,200 fire fighters and emergency workers are fighting the blazes to protect villages and enterprises. The Federal Forest Service is sending reinforcements to Khabarovsk from other the parts of the country.
Viktor Ishayev, head of the Khabarovsk territorial administration, has instructed local leaders to take exhaustive measures to combat fires and ordered the use of technical equipment and personnel from all enterprises and organizations irrespective of their organizational and legal status.
Stocks of food, fuel and lubricants and other property are being prepared as part of the fire fighting measures.
A temporary ban has also been imposed on trips and excursions to forests. Motor vehicles would need a special permit to enter forest zones.
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Received by NewsEdge Insight: 07/23/1999 08:08:58