Skip to main content

Russia: Massive forest fire Final Report Operation n° MDRRU019

Countries
Russia
Sources
IFRC
Publication date
Origin
View original

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

Between 12-15 April 2015, due to the extremely dry weather, high air temperatures and heavy wind in the territory of Republic of Khakassia located in the South Siberian part of Russia, a massive forest fire affected a large territory with 38 settlements. According to the Ministry of Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM), about 1,000 private houses, one school and two hospitals were fully destroyed, thus affecting some 5,000 people. 30 people were reported dead due to the massive and heavy fire. The total damage estimated equaled to 7 billion rubles or 140 million Swiss francs.

The Russian EMERCOM and the local authorities evacuated more than 4,000 people that were accommodated in 23 temporary shelters as well as with relatives and host families. The local authorities and the EMERCOM mobilized more than 3,000 professionals, rescuers and fire-fighting forces, which allowed to block the spreading of the fire onto the settlements. The rescue teams also managed to stabilize the situation. The federal government is considering compensation of damage to the affected population and building new houses to replace the destroyed ones. Until this time, most of the affected people are staying in temporary shelters.