Fire Safety Leader in Zabaikalsky Region Steps Down as Wildfires Rage On

The head of fire safety in the Zabaikalsky region of Russia’s Far East has stepped down as wildfires continue to ravage forests and pose threats to nearby communities, regional officials announced on Monday.

Governor Alexander Osipov of the Zabaikalsky region issued an order to dismiss Rinat Khismatulin from his role as the head of the region’s Department of Civil Defense and Fire Safety “on his own initiative.” Khismatulin had held this position since December 2022.

A notice on the regional government’s website indicated that Khismatulin’s deputy, Andrei Kovalchuk, will take over on an interim basis starting Tuesday.

Last week, a federal state of emergency was declared in the Zabaikalsky region, which shifted the responsibility for firefighting efforts to the Emergency Situations Ministry of Russia and permitted the mobilization of additional resources.

As of early Monday, the Zabaikalsky region was responsible for 98% of the total land affected by wildfires in Russia, according to the Aerial Forest Protection Service. Reports from state media revealed that the current wildfires are burning an area over ten times larger than that affected at the same period last year, with no indications of abating.

On Monday, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported that wildfires had reached a village, resulting in the destruction of four homes before being extinguished. Shortly after, it was reported that 10 additional homes were consumed by flames in another settlement.

Experts largely attribute the rise in wildfires within Russia to human activities, such as the intentional burning of dry grass near residential areas to mitigate fire risks. Other factors at play include insufficient snow cover and an exceptionally early onset of spring.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Osipov has implemented financial incentives for citizens who report suspected arsonists. Emergency officials have noted that numerous individuals involved in starting fires have already been identified, and law enforcement agencies have initiated three criminal investigations pertaining to negligence that has resulted in wildfires.

Additionally, Osipov has imposed restrictions on travel along intercity roads, requiring personal approval from local mayors for passage.