Fires in Buryatia. Extinguishing the fire. Effects

For several centuries in a row, man has considered himself the master of nature. But the planet with every cataclysm assures arrogant people that their forces are still unequal. One of the events where the technique was powerless was the fires in Buryatia.

The edge of cold and winds

In the center of Asia is one of the most beautiful republics of the Russian Federation. The distance from the center of the region, Ulan-Ude, to the capital is more than 5500 km. Most of Buryatia is covered with mountain ranges. The climate is sharply continental. Winter here is dry and characterized by severe frosts. The main snow falls in November and December. The following months are poor in precipitation.

Spring is moderate. This season is characterized by strong north-west winds. At this time, rains on this territory are a rarity. The moisture practically evaporates from the ground, and the soil becomes dry. This was one of the reasons why the fires in Buryatia acquired such proportions.

In summer, the air temperature rises to 24 degrees. The nights are cool. Precipitation occurs at the end of July-August.

The region is rich in forests. They constitute 83% of the territory of the republic. Exporting timber from the taiga every year brings a colossal amount of money to the country.

Earth of danger

Siberia is one of the regions of Russia, which constantly suffers from natural disasters. In 2013, the Kemerovo region was badly damaged by the earthquake. In 2014 people were saved from flooding. The spring of 2015 will be remembered by a terrible flame and clouds of smoke.

But if the earthquake is difficult to predict, then fire and water are seasonal phenomena, and it is possible to prepare for such a disaster. But the power was powerless in the whirlwind of these events.

Forest fires in Buryatia are an annual phenomenon. Moreover, official statistics show that every season nature tolerates from 10 to 40 000 fires. The area of fire can be up to 3 million hectares. Losses are measured by colossal amounts.

On the eve of the tragedy, the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov, as always, warned that burning dry grass could lead to a fire. Experts also found that the cause of annual "red cocks" is most often the human factor.

Step to the Trouble

Burn the dry stubble peasants in order to better grow young grass. But often the flame goes out of human control. The situation makes the wind too critical, which carries the "orange dragon" to other sites. Fires in Buryatia, according to the official version, arose because of the negligence of the residents of the district.

The tragedy started in the Republic of Khakassia. Small fire areas on the night of April 12 to 13 turned into hell. The wind blew the trouble. The next day, Transbaikalia was already aflame. Minor fires in the territory of this district were recorded back in March. But such a fire was not a threat.

On April 13, the situation worsened. Overnight, the phenomenon has become critical. On the eve of the territory of burning sectors was about 3 hectares. And only one day, with the assistance of weather, the fire took up a new area. For three days, the "red rooster" dominated the area of 100,000 hectares.

On April 15 forest fires began in Buryatia. The misfortune required the intervention of neighboring republics.

Opinion of the authorities

Then the head of the region Vyacheslav Nagovitsyn announced the alarm of the highest level. But together with the order to liquidate the fire, he also added that for today the main task is to prevent the new territory from being set on fire. Among the causes of ignition were deliberate actions.

But the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations accused large-scale tragedy of local authorities and ordinary firefighters. He stated that the leadership ignored the first bursts, because he was preparing for rest or already at that time was on vacation. A non-serious attitude led to the fact that a small fire spread to the forests.

The area of fires in Buryatia on April 16 reached 1.4 thousand hectares. Contributed to the deterioration of the situation and natural conditions. An arid and hot summer without rains, but with thunder and lightning, it lit more and more zones.

Emergency Mode

In June an emergency situation was introduced in the region. Thus, the authorities said they do not have enough strength to fight the disaster. The inhabitants of the region were strictly forbidden to enter the forest. The uncontrollable fire burned everything in its path for several more months.

About 1000 people were sent to extinguish fires in Buryatia. The rescuers and paratroopers were also struggling. Worked on the territory of the region and modern technology in the amount of 200 units.

Immediately found the culprits of the tragedy. Against the citizens of the republic, 10 criminal cases were instituted on the fact of negligence and imprudence. Many leaders were fired for negligence.

Nevertheless, local residents say that they were waiting for hard work from the rescuers. Most of the villages, to which the fire reached, were burnt to the ground due to the fact that the Ministry of Emergency Situations was inactive. The machines were empty, and the workers were uninitialized.

Uneven victory

Some areas of fires in Buryatia for a long time remained without management's attention. The inhabitants had the impression that the authorities were waiting for the fire to subside.

Every day somewhere they burned to the ground. The victims were evacuated to schools. There they waited for food, beds and first financial assistance.

The points that rescuers defended, also suffered from disaster. The fog was lying on the ground in a fog, flooding the streets of the cities. It became difficult for people to breathe. Twilight was found in the cities. The authorities handed out masks for free. But thin tissue saved little from poisonous smog.

The trees were burned, the roots stopped keeping the soil. Sandstorms began. It is impossible to hide from dust. Experts say: it takes at least ten years for the land to become stronger again.

On September 11, the Ministry of Emergencies testified that one large section of the flame and about ten localized parts were fixed in the region.

They removed the emergency regime only in September. Then significant fires in Buryatia were extinguished, and the flames raged only in certain parts of the forest.

Now homeless people are waiting for recovery. The new houses they promised to put the state in the near future. In addition, the fire victims are constantly paid compensation.

Drama Edge

The nature of this region is especially beautiful. Silent, virgin forests lull the mind. They, like a dream, act on the body.

The flora and fauna of the republic is unique. This is the land of nature reserves and national parks. Flora and fauna of this region are extremely rare and inherent only in this part of Siberia. Several representatives of the animal kingdom are listed in the Red Book.

Fires in Buryatia destroyed significant landings, so they deprived many animals and birds of their residence. Partially lost pride of the region - the Dahurian rhododendron. This medicinal plant is distinguished by a wonderful, gentle-purple color. Nature will have to restore for a long time that which destroyed the flame.

It is especially insulting to admit that a large-scale tragedy happened because of a man. Residents of the Trans-Baikal Territory hope that misfortune will teach them to appreciate and protect their land, and next year the fire will be extinguished in the bud.