Wildfires Force Emergency Evacuations in Chita as Arson is Suspected in Zabaikalsky Region

Wildfires that have been engulfing Russia’s Zabaikalsky region since late last week forced residents near the regional capital, Chita, to evacuate their homes on Monday, prompting authorities to close a section of a federal highway.

The Aerial Forest Protection Services in Russia reported that a collaborative effort among firefighters, government agencies, and volunteers has been combating these human-induced fires encroaching on the town of Atamanovka since Friday.

“It was clearly arson, with three simultaneous ignition points,” stated Viktor Mashukov, the head of the Chitinsky district, over the weekend. “The police are conducting an investigation.”

Atamanovka, which is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Chita and has a population of fewer than 10,000 residents, has faced fire threats at least twice in the last two months.

On Monday, Mashukov announced that a dacha community, consisting of approximately 50 households, was entirely destroyed by the wildfire.

According to the Zabaikalsky regional branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the fire has consumed around 350 hectares (865 acres) of land, with a perimeter measuring 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Footage released by officials and local media depicted flames and dense smoke devastating the forest. Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry reported that 153 children were relocated from a nearby summer camp, with another camp being evacuated later that day.

Authorities have temporarily closed sections of a federal highway that connects the region to the Chinese border.

Currently, the Zabaikalsky region represents 81% of all wildfire-affected areas in Russia and has been under a federal state of emergency for the past two months.

Experts attribute the majority of this year’s wildfires to human activity, particularly from burning dry grass in rural areas. They also note that a lack of snow cover and an early onset of spring have exacerbated the situation.