Fire in Russian Federation

Following a heatwave in Russia, wildfires have broken out in different areas. In Karelia, near the border with Finland, there were 39 active fires as of 19 July, affecting an area of approximately 700 hectares.

The full population of the Naistenjärvi municipality - several hundred people - was evacuated due to the threat posed by the fires, and several buildings were destroyed. The Voldezero area is also at risk.

Thousands of firefighters are working to halt the fires across the country, but the current weather raises concerns that further fires will follow.