In the Polesie Nature Reserve, rescuers and forestry workers continue efforts to extinguish the forest fire, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported. As of 5:00 p.m. on May 9, the fire had spread across 1,200 hectares. Dry weather and strong gusts of wind are contributing to the spread of the fire.
A total of 374 people have been involved in extinguishing the blaze, including 253 rescuers from the State Emergency Service. Personnel are being rotated to ensure uninterrupted operations. Emergency workers are extinguishing isolated fire hotspots to prevent further spread. Drones are being used to monitor the territory and detect smoldering areas. The situation is under control, the agency said.
Earlier, the Main Department for Addressing the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster of the Homiel Regional Executive Committee stated that the radiation background level in Homiel Region had not increased due to the forest fire in Ukraine’s Chornobyl exclusion zone.
