Heat, winds and storms fuel wildfires across Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is grappling with an intense wildfire season, driven by extreme heat, strong winds and thunderstorms, with hundreds of fires recorded across the country, authorities said.

More than 450 forest fires, eight steppe fires and over 1,000 incidents involving dry vegetation have been registered since the start of the fire-risk period, according to state broadcaster 24KZ.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan said the situation remains difficult, citing “abnormal heat,” high winds and lightning as key factors sustaining fire activity. Firefighting aircraft have been heavily deployed, dropping approximately 900 tonnes of water on active blazes.

In the past week alone, 43 forest fires were recorded nationwide. A further 55 new outbreaks were sparked by thunderstorms across five regions, underscoring the volatility of conditions.

The most difficult situation has been reported in the Semey Ormany State Nature Reserve, where a major wildfire has been brought under control. More than 800 emergency personnel, supported by around 200 pieces of equipment and eight helicopters, were involved in containment efforts.

However, officials warned that parts of the forest continue to smoulder, posing a risk of reignition. Ongoing thunderstorms could trigger additional fires, complicating containment efforts and prolonging the emergency response.

By Tamilla Hasanova