07 October 2024 | 18:54

Large steppe fire occurred in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz - A steppe fire reached the territory of a local farm in the Pavlodar region, covering an area of about 6,000 hectares.

According to the department, on October 6, a fire broke out in dry grass near the village of Koyandy in the Karkaraly district of the Karaganda region. Forestry forces, emergency services, and volunteer firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene.

"Upon arrival, a fire was observed over 40 hectares. During the firefighting efforts, two regional service employees and one volunteer sustained burns and were taken to the district hospital. Another injured person was later sent to a Karaganda. According to preliminary data, he received light degree burns," the department reported.

A steppe fire crossed the border of the Pavlodar region and reached the territory of Bayanaul National Park. Helicopters from Kazaviaspas dropped 18 tons of water. It was decided to evacuate 18 residents, including 8 children, from the village of Zheltau. People were placed in an evacuation center at the school in Shanina village.

A command center has been set up by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), with Vice Minister Erlan Nurpeisov on-site, along with the governor of the Karaganda region.

The MES reported the death of a firefighter during the steppe fire extinguishing efforts. Senior firefighter-rescuer Khairat Khali, born in 1991, lost his life.

Photo provided by the family of the deceased Khairat Khali

"The circumstances of his death are being clarified, and a pre-trial investigation has been initiated. Psychologists from the Disaster Medicine Center are providing necessary support to the family of the deceased. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends," the press service of the MES reported.

MES reported that they would provide comprehensive assistance and support to the family of the deceased firefighter. The ministry also released footage taken during an aerial survey of the area affected by the steppe fire.

Additionally, it was reported that the fire in Bayanaul National Park doubled in size, growing to 6,000 hectares in a day.

The fire has been localized, but efforts to extinguish it are being complicated by strong winds, mountainous terrain, and a lack of access roads to the fire hotspots.

"The estimated area of the fire is about six thousand hectares. The situation is complicated by gusty winds of up to 12-15 meters per second and tall grass. All necessary forces have been deployed. At present, the fire has been localized, and efforts to extinguish it are ongoing. There are no casualties or injuries in the region," commented the akim of Pavlodar region on social media.

He added that one of the main causes of such fires is faulty spark arresters in machinery used during haymaking.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan, more than 600 people and 110 units of equipment, five drones, and four helicopters from KazAviaSpas and the Ministry of Defense are involved in fighting the emergency. Footage from the scene has been published by MES.

fire steppe Pavlodar Oblast Karaganda Oblast rescue

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