Forest fires engulfed the Zakarpattia, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions in early May of this year due to weather conditions and enemy shelling; on one day alone, the area of large-scale forest fires exceeded 3,000 hectares. This was reported by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, according to UNN.
The beginning of May became a trial for both Ukrainian forests and the State Emergency Service. Large-scale forest fires simultaneously engulfed several regions: Zakarpattia, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Kyiv... On one day alone, the area of large-scale forest fires exceeded 3,000 hectares
Klymenko emphasized that as of today, the State Emergency Service has managed to stabilize the situation. Fires in Zakarpattia and the Rivne region have been extinguished. In the Zhytomyr, Kyiv, and Chernihiv regions, the fire has been localized," Klymenko reported.
As the minister noted, this result is the product of days of continuous work by hundreds of rescuers. While most people saw only smoke over the forests, rescuers did not leave the epicenter of the fires for several days.
The temperature was so extreme that multi-ton vehicles caught fire like matches. In this confrontation, we lost 2 fire trucks. However, thanks to the endurance and professionalism of the rescuers, the destruction of 5 specialized vehicles was prevented
According to him, it was particularly difficult to work in potentially mined areas. And in the mountains, rescuers had to fight the fire in places where equipment could not reach. Strong winds turned ground fires into crown fires within minutes.
"I thank every rescuer who has been taming the flames of forest fires these days. Today, the situation is stabilized precisely thanks to your professionalism and endurance," Klymenko emphasized.
In Ukraine, nearly 2,250 hectares of land burned due to ecosystem fires10.05.26, 16:20