Wildfires spread into Russian state of emergency

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2010-08-04

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, has declared a state of emergency in the regions of Mairi El, Mordovia, Vladimir, Voronezh, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Ryazan.

The seven regions have been subject to killing wildfires which have spread quickly, causing the deaths of at least 45 people.

Authorities will be now required to restrict public access to dangerous spots where fires could still spring up and also damaged areas that could be subject to loooting.

The armed forces have been called on to fight the fires.

Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, has also ordered regional governors to present a reconstruction plan for villages that have been destroyed.

At least 1,900 houses have been destroyed in fires, leaving more than 2,000 people homeless.

There has been much public criticism of the Russian government that it was slow to react to the spreading fires last week.

Source: Europe News.Net

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