Fires in Siberia led to the death of people and livestock

Fires in Khakassia, in the south of Siberia, caused the death of 15 people. According to the head of the region, the damage from the elements amounted to at least 5 billion rubles.

During the videoconference with the head of the Russian Emergencies Ministry Vladimir Puchkov, the head of Khakassia Viktor Zimin said that 78 people were hospitalized for several days of fires raging in dry and windy weather.

According to Zimin, as a result of the fires, the primary school, other public infrastructure, and private houses were damaged or destroyed. There are also livestock deaths. According to preliminary estimates, the damage from the fires was at least 5 billion rubles, he added.

Fires in Russia often start when locals set fire to grass in the fields to clear them after winter. This practice is widespread, despite the criticism of environmentalists and government officials.

The fires in the hot summer of 2010 in Russia led to the death of dozens of people. Some scientists and environmentalists suggest that the number of indirect deaths caused by heat waves and fires may have been much higher.