- Novorossiisk, Russia, declares a state of emergency due to forest fires.
- Fires spread across 22 hectares, fueled by heat, winds, and dry thunderstorms.
- Evacuations and firefighting efforts are underway in the affected areas.
The southern Russian city of Novorossiisk, located on the Black Sea, declared a state of emergency on Sunday as forest fires spread over an area of 22 hectares. Mayor Andrei Kravchenko announced the emergency in response to the rapidly spreading fires, which have been fueled by intense heat, strong winds, and dry thunderstorms. The fires have affected various regions across Russia, from Siberia to the Far East.
Images shared by Mayor Kravchenko on Telegram depicted firefighters battling the blazes, with vast stretches of scorched earth and charred trees in the background. The city has prepared buses to evacuate approximately 200 people from high-risk areas, while helicopters are deployed to extinguish fires in the mountainous terrain.
The broader southern Krasnodar region, where Novorossiisk is located, is also experiencing significant fire spread. This region is a popular summer destination for Russian tourists, adding to the urgency of controlling the wildfires. The situation in Novorossiisk highlights the broader challenge Russia faces with forest fires this season.