Intense wildfires have devastated vast areas in the Ural Mountains of Russia, destroying hundreds of homes and leading to the deaths of at least seven people, prompting evacuation efforts. The fires have spread to some residential areas in the Kurgan region of southern Russia, leading Emergency Minister Alexander Kurenkov to visit the area early this morning. He stated, "The situation has become difficult."
Local authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the major fire, stating in a release: "The expansion of the fire has been made possible due to potential negligence on the part of the responsible officials." Local emergency services confirmed that "53 other fires are still active." According to the TASS agency, "More than 54,000 hectares of forest are burning in Sverdlovsk region, where about 4,800 responders are working to extinguish the flames."
On Sunday evening, the fire that broke out in an explosives depot, which led to the evacuation of a small village in Sverdlovsk region, was brought under control.
