Wildfire in Kazakhstan’s Abai Region brought under control

The wildfire that has been burning in the Semei Ormany Nature Reserve of the Abai region of Kazakhstan has been brought under control, the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on June 16, 2023.

The fire, which broke out on June 9, 2023, had spread to an area of over 60,000 hectares by the time it was brought under control. The fire caused significant damage to the reserve, but no casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said that the main efforts of the firefighters were now focused on extinguishing local smoldering fires and preventing new outbreaks. To this end, the forces and means have been regrouped. In addition, localized fires will now be continuously watered, and the fire edges will be backfilled with soil until they are completely extinguished.