In Zakarpattia, efforts are underway to extinguish a large-scale forest fire that has engulfed approximately 75 hectares. Over two hundred people and dozens of pieces of equipment have been deployed to fight the blaze.
This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zakarpattia Oblast.
The report of the fire was received on May 5, around 3:30 p.m. As of 8:00 a.m. on May 6, firefighters and foresters continue to extinguish the fire in the territory of the Verkhniy Volovets Forestry. The area engulfed by the fire is approximately 75 hectares.
A total of 243 people and 46 pieces of equipment are involved in the firefighting efforts. Specifically, 138 rescuers and 36 pieces of equipment from the State Emergency Service are on the scene. Colleagues from Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions have arrived to assist the Transcarpathian rescuers—a total of 58 rescuers and 14 pieces of equipment.
Also involved in extinguishing the fire are 105 employees of the Carpathian Branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” and 10 pieces of equipment, including a tanker truck, six fire modules, and three other pieces of equipment. The State Emergency Service plans to deploy aircraft.
According to the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a criminal investigation has been opened into the large-scale fire on the territory of the Verkhniy Volovets Forestry Unit of the Svalyava Forest District of the Carpathian Branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine.” As part of the investigation, law enforcement officials will determine the causes and circumstances of the fire. The preliminary legal classification is Part 2 of Article 245 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
