IRKUTSK -- Some 1,500 hectares of forest are on fire in the Baikal national park. This is one of the largest fires on a guarded territory in the past few years.The fire broke out three days ago, a source at the territorial forestry airbase told Itar-Tass on Sunday. The dry and hot weather spread the blaze towards the village of Buguldeika, close to Baikal.
The 350-hectare fire area increased more than fourfold within one day. Thirty people have localized the blaze.
All in all, the Irkutsk region has about 100 forest fires on the total area of 4,500 hectares. The fire has spread onto 2,000 hectares since Saturday