Experts Caution Against Complacency Despite Mild Wildfire Season in Russia

This year, Russia has experienced a less severe wildfire season, with the area affected by fires thus far being significantly lower than in 2024. However, experts caution that this apparent improvement may create a false sense of security regarding the nation’s preparedness for future events.

From January to August, authorities reported over 6,500 fires that scorched approximately 4.5 million hectares (11.3 million acres), which is nearly a third less than the same timeframe last year.

This figure is also below the Russian government’s goal of limiting forest fires to 4.68 million hectares for the entirety of 2025, as stated by the environmental news outlet Kedr.

Experts have explained to Kedr that the reduction in wildfire impact this year resulted from various factors, including increased rainfall, an unusually cool summer in Siberia, and a decrease in the customary spring burning of dry vegetation.

An unnamed forestry expert remarked to the news outlet, «Authorities are likely to mistakenly view this relatively quiet wildfire season as a sign of success, believing that the wildfire protection measures are finally being effective.»

«However, the reality is that the situation is deteriorating: climate change is progressing, and issues within the forestry sector are escalating. Experienced workers are departing, equipment is aging, and there is a growing trend of people being distracted by administrative tasks,» the expert elaborated.

Grigory Kuksin, a seasoned forestry specialist at the Landscape Fire Prevention Center, noted that in recent years, Russia’s wildfire season has been extending further into the autumn months due to prolonged hot and dry weather.

«The outlook for the end of the season remains troubling. We are still quite far from the conclusion of the season,» Kuksin stated. «Additionally, during winter, we will have to confront ‘zombie fires,’ which are smoldering peat fires that persist underground throughout the cold season, even in northern areas.»

Russia experienced its worst wildfire season in 2021, when nearly 19 million hectares were ravaged overall.