Radiation levels in Belarus’ Homiel Region have not exceeded normal values despite the forest fire in Ukraine’s Chornobyl exclusion zone, the Main Department for Handling the Consequences of the Chornobyl Disaster of the Homiel Regional Executive Committee reported.
“Radiation background levels in nearby settlements and across the entire Homiel Region have not increased and remain consistent with long-term observations. Monitoring of radiation dose rates is being carried out at three external checkpoints of the reserve, as well as by detectors,” the regional authorities stated.
The situation is being monitored from the territory of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve.
“At present, there is no threat of the fire spreading onto the territory of the Republic of Belarus,” the Homiel Regional Executive Committee said.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that as of 3:00 p.m., the fire in the exclusion zone was still ongoing. The estimated area affected by the fire exceeds 1,100 hectares.
