Entry and stay within the Vottovaara National Park in Karelia have been prohibited since July 30 due to a state of emergency in the region’s forests and a high fire risk. The park administration announced the restriction on July 31.

The ban encompasses the presence of citizens in the park’s forests, the entry of any transport, as well as the establishment of camps and parking lots. Exceptions are made for employees of Vottovaara, firefighters, and rescuers.

The restrictions are due to the state of emergency and the extremely high fire risk in the region, aiming to prevent new fires and ensure public safety.

The duration of the restrictions is indefinite, remaining in effect until the state of emergency is lifted. Violators will face administrative penalties.

Updated information regarding the lifting of the ban will be published on the park’s official platforms. The administration asks for understanding regarding these temporary measures.

A state of emergency was introduced in Karelia the day before in response to forest fires engulfing the region. Artur Parfenchikov, the head of the republic, designated the boundaries of the emergency zone within the forest fund located in the Muezersky and Loukhsky municipal districts.

On July 29, regional authorities reported that 24 forest fires were being extinguished in Karelia, with only five contained. As of July 29, over 400 hectares of forest were ablaze in the republic. A specialized fire train, carrying 180 tons of water and four tons of foam concentrate, was deployed to Karelia to assist in extinguishing the fires.

The Vottovaara National Park, spanning the Muezersky and Medvezhyegorsky districts, covers approximately 14,000 hectares and comprises three clusters: “Mountains Ahvi, Varguno, Piro”, “Lake Pizanets” and “Mount Vottovaara”.