Officials resort to artificial rain to tackle raging wildfires in Siberia

By The Siberian Times reporter

Siberian Times,

24 July 2017

Fires have wreaked havoc this summer with Yakutia and the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous the latest to be hard hit.

Clouds are being spiked with a special compound over remote areas of Yakutia to force rain in forest infernos

Clouds are being spiked with a special compound over remote areas of Yakutia to force rain in forest infernos.

The skies are cannoned from An-26 planes with silver iodide or liquid nitrogen by forestry fire fighters, provoking 50 minutes of rain across a 30 kilometre area.

An 18,000 hectare fire in Viluisky district is being targeted, some 425 kilometres northwest of regional capital Yakutsk.

Firefighters are also using explosives to remove obstacles and build mineral lines to block the spread of fires.

Yakutia has some 12 wildfires.

Officials resort to artificial rain to tackle raging wildfires in Siberia

The city of Yakutsk covered in smoke. Pictures: Yakutsk.ru

In Yamalo-Nenets officials reported 47 wildfires across 2,097 hectares after a blast of hot weather.

Last year, deadly anthrax - previously frozen in the permafrost - was released causing health hazards to humans and reindeer. The region has called for help from neighbouring governors due to the fast spread of the wildfires.

Local governor Dmitry Kobylkin said: 'The temperature in the region is extreme. The situation will remain the same for some time.

'We are now engaging all possible additional resources. We've asked neighbouring regions about additional firefighters, Yekaterinburg has already replied.

'We understand that situation is intensive everywhere.

'We are also waiting for significant help for Rosleskhoz and Avialesokhrana.'