Emergency responders are trying to stop the spread of a wildfire now blazing around Gelendzhik on Russia’s Black Sea coast. As of this morning, 118 hectares (close to 300 acres) of forest are burning along the seaside.
Mayor of Gelendzhik Alexey Bogodistov writes that 440 emergency workers have been mobilized, together with 80 units of fire-fighting equipment, including two amphibious flying boats Be-200.
The wildfire broke out on Tuesday evening, in three separate areas at first. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in the Dzhankhot community and by Mount Neksis. The third fire, in the Kupriyanova Shchel district, spread from 1.5 to 118 hectares overnight.
On Tuesday night, municipal authorities asked local residents who have their own fire extinguishers to join the firefighters in trying to keep the wildfire at bay.
The animal sanctuary Safari Park is close to the area now on fire, but animals are not yet in danger, reports a local news outlet.
A 40-year-old local resident has been arrested for allegedly sparking the fire while working with electrics.
