Mokhnatka Mount near Almaty caught fire

The area of the fire that hit the Mokhnatka Mount in the Ile-Alatau National Park in the vicinities of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city, totaled 18 hectares as of 09.05. a.m. Astana time August 23, a Tengrinews.kz journalists reports. The fire quenching operation involves 536 people, 43 on-ground vehicles and three helicopters. According to Alexander Li, Head of the Almaty Fire Fighting Service, another two helicopters are expected to shortly reinforce the efforts. The fire was reported at about 10 pm August 22. By the time the first batch of firefighters arrived the fire area had reached 2 hectares. “The fire was spreading fast due to the northward wind. The fire has been quenched from the its southern and western parts, with the threat still remaining at its southern edge”, according to Mr. Li. He added that “human factor isn’t ruled out (…) the investigation in what caused the fire is under way”. About 300 people have been evacuated from the Mountain Sun camp located nearby. Hot weather and multiple fallen dry trees (hit by a violent storm in May 2011) are among the aggravating factors.