Fire spreads to Tarbagatai national park in Kazakhstan

Firefighters are continuing to battle a wildfire in Kazakhstan’s Abai region after flames spread to the territory of the Tarbagatai State National Natural Park, the country’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

The fire broke out in dry grass and shrubs in mountainous, hard-to-reach terrain in the Kazankemir area of the Tarbagatai rural district in Ayagoz district. The blaze subsequently spread into the national park, the ministry said, as quoted by local media.

“About 226 people and 43 pieces of equipment from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Semey Ormany State Forest Nature Reserve, the Tarbagatai State National Natural Park and local executive authorities are involved in firefighting. Two helicopters from Kazaviaspas and the National Security Committee have also been deployed, with 12 water drops carried out from the air,” the ministry said.

Firefighting efforts have been hampered by the difficult mountainous terrain, steep slopes, the lack of access roads to the fire sites and strong gusts of wind.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said there was currently no threat to populated areas and that the situation remained under the control of the services involved.

By Tamilla Hasanova