Fourth day of fighting the fire in Chornobyl: the fire area has grown to 1200 hectares

Fourth day of fighting the fire in Chornobyl: the fire area has grown to 1200 hectares

In the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, they continue to extinguish a large-scale forest fire that has been ongoing for the fourth day. As of the morning of May 10, the fire has engulfed 1200 hectares of territory. Rescuers say the situation remains controlled, however, dry weather and strong winds are contributing to the spread of the flames. More than three hundred people and dozens of units of equipment have been involved in extinguishing the fire. This was reported by the State Emergency Service.

About this reports Informator.

"In total, 326 people are involved in extinguishing the fire, of which 211 rescuers from SES. The situation is fully controlled", - it says in the message.

326 people are extinguishing the fire. Photo: SES

The day before, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate reported that an increase in cesium-137 concentration was recorded in the fire area. At the same time, the indicators remain significantly lower than the permissible norms.

"No exceedance of permissible cesium-137 concentrations in the atmospheric air for the population outside the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is expected", - noted the agency.

The fire in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has been ongoing for the fourth day. Photo: SES

According to the Chornobyl Radiation Ecological Biosphere Reserve, the fire began on May 7 after a drone crashed. Already on May 8, the fire area reached 1100 hectares. Over the last two days, the fire has spread another 100 hectares.