In the Chernobyl Reserve, the liquidation of forest fires continues. Rescuers have extinguished the fire at two locations, but there are still several ignition points.
This was reported today, July 1, by the director of the Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, Denys Nesterov.
According to him, strong gusts of wind and high air temperatures complicate the situation. This contributes to the rapid spread of fire.
To ensure access for fire fighting equipment to the fire, the forest is being cleared with heavy engineering machinery. Strips are also being created to contain the spread of the fire and prevent it from spreading to other forest areas.
“To constantly monitor the fire situation, the territories affected by the fire are being monitored. This involves vehicles, watercraft, UAVs, and a video surveillance system. Radiation monitoring is carried out continuously by an automated monitoring system,” said Nesterov.
Radiation Level
As of the morning of July 1, according to the Borys Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory, the radiation level in Chernobyl was 18 μR/h5 to 30 μR/h is the absolute norm. This is the usual natural background created by rocks, solar radiation, and building materials.30–50 μR/h is the permissible norm, but this value is considered the upper limit of a safe background.Over 50 μR/h is an elevated level that requires attention (characteristic of some areas of the exclusion zone or X-ray rooms). (for comparison, on June 30, the level was 21 μR/h).
What an Expert Says About the Fires
The vast majority of fires in the Chernobyl zone are caused by falling fragments of Russian drones, said Serhiy Zibtsev, director of the Regional Eastern European Fire Monitoring Center, on Ukrainian Radio.
According to him, such fires were almost impossible before the war in June (when the grass is green and there are many rains). Moreover, before the war, Ukraine could use fire aviation. Currently, due to the threat of the plane being shot down by Russians, this is impossible, says Zibtsev. The situation in the Exclusion Zone is also complicated by the fact that this territory was under occupation and part of the territory is contaminated with explosive objects.
The director of the Fire Monitoring Center also said that rain helps extinguish fires, but there are still stumps and fallen trees that continue to smolder for a long time, and in windy weather, smoldering will continue.
The day before, on June 30, Oleksandr Borsuk, deputy head of the scientific department of the Chernobyl Reserve, reported on Suspilne Studio that 66 fires were recorded on the reserve’s territory this year, including 23 in June.
What is Known About the Fire in the Chernobyl Zone
Forest fires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone began on June 25 due to falling fragments of a Russian drone. Between June 27–28, combustion products spread south of the burning sites, causing a deterioration in the quality of atmospheric air and visibility in Kyiv, Vyshhorod, Bucha, and Brovary districts of Kyiv region.
As of June 30, fires at two locations in the Chernobyl Zone were extinguished. During drone monitoring of the territory, smoke was detected in another forest area.