Thirty-two forest fires are currently burning in Karelia, Russia, prompting the dispatch of reinforcements from Mari El and the Tyumen region to assist local firefighters. Artur Parfenchikov, the head of the Republic of Karelia, reported the situation on August 31.

The most challenging situations are in the Pudozhsky and Muezersky districts, each with nine active fires as of August 1. Fires have also been detected in the Suoyarvsky and Loukhsky districts (three each), Kostomukshsky and Belomorsky districts (two each), and Kalevalsky, Kemsky, Lakhdenpokhsky, and Sortavalsky districts (one each).

According to Parfenchikov, eight fires have been contained, and no populated areas are currently under threat.

He stated that more than half of the fires were started by thunderstorms, while about a third were caused by human error. Approximately 300 people and 68 pieces of equipment are involved in the firefighting efforts.

Twenty-eight paratroopers from Mari El have arrived in Karelia and have been deployed to remote areas of the Pudozhsky district. An additional 50 aviation forest protection specialists are expected to arrive from the Tyumen region later today.

On July 29, the regional government reported 24 active forest fires in Karelia, with only five contained. At that time, over 400 hectares of forest were burning in the region. A special fire train, carrying 180 tons of water and four tons of foaming agent, was dispatched to Karelia to assist in extinguishing the blazes.

Due to the high risk of fires, entry to and presence within the Vottovaara National Park has been prohibited, and a state of emergency has been declared. The duration of these restrictions will remain in effect until the state of emergency is lifted.

The weather in Karelia is hot and dry, with an air temperature of +29 degrees Celsius and no precipitation expected.