Number of forest fires in Siberia up 50 pct over past day

KRASNOYARSK, April 23 (Itar-Tass) -- The number of forest fires in
Siberia has been up 50 percent over the past 24 hours - from 28 to 43, the
press service of the Siberian regional center of the Emergency Situations
Ministry told Itar-Tass.
By morning the fires had affected 968 hectares. Another 18 trouble
spots measuring 274 hectares in area were localized. There is no threat to
communities.
"Nevertheless, all forces and means available to rescuers are in full
readiness," the press-service said.
"Over the next day there may be an increase in the number of forest
fire spots and in the area of forest fires in the Trans-Baikal,
Krasnoyarsk and Altai territories, Buryatia, Khakassia, Tyva and Altai, as
well as in the Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions," the Emergency Situations
Ministry center warned.
Particularly disturbing is the situation in two Siberian regions.
Rescuers predict high risks in 20 districts of the Altai Territory and in
14 regions of Trans-Baikal territory.
Currently, involved in fighting the existing hotbeds of natural fires
are 755 rescuers and 118 vehicles.