Forest fires raging in Russia's coldest region raise alarm of nuclear disaster

Satellite images show that a fire broke out in the city of Sarov near the Russian Federation’s nuclear center, which is one of Russia’s most secret nuclear facilities.

According to satellite images taken on August 8, the fire was less than 13 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant.

According to city officials, the level of danger has been raised to mobilize more forces to control fires in the area.

In the same context, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the dispatch of reinforcements on Tuesday to fight the forest fires that raged in Siberia.

In recent years, the intensity of wildfires in Siberia has increased. Russian meteorological officials and environmental experts believe that this is related to climate change and insufficient funds of forest management agencies.

Putin ordered the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations to "add firefighting teams" and "strengthen aviation work" in Yakutia, the worst-hit region in Siberia.

On Tuesday, the branch of the Yakutia Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that more than 4,200 people are currently fighting the fire. He added that more than 9,500 tons of water have been used to extinguish fires in the air.

But the Russian Federal Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring Service stated that the situation in Yakutia (the largest and coldest region in Russia) is still "the most difficult."

The United Nations issued a report on Monday stating that global warming is faster than expected and that all mankind is responsible for this.
NASA reported over the weekend that its satellite imagery showed that the smoke from the Yakutia forest fire was heading towards the North Pole. It said this was an unprecedented incident.