New wildfires flare up in Russia

Another 323 wildfires have flared up in Russian regions in the past 24 hours, according to the Emergencies Ministry.

The fires total some 800. The Ministry’s officials point out that the area of peat-bogs ablaze has also grown.

The Moscow Region accounts for the greatest number of burning peat-bogs.

The fire-fighting effort involves over 150,000 people and more than 25,000 bulldozers, excavators and fire engines.

40 people have died in the fires, while over 2,000 have been left homeless.

A state of emergency has been declared in Russia’s seven worst-hit regions.

Wherever the situation is really grave, planes and helicopters are used to extinguish fires.

Also, Army units have been sent to help the fire-fighters.