INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Service said Sunday, with firefighters racing to prevent flames from spreading to populated areas.A federal-level state of emergency has
been in place since April 23 in the Zabaikalsky region, which currentlyaccounts for almost 90% of the total area engulfed by wildfires
The regional head of fire safety resigned less than a week after the state of emergency was declared.Around 456,400 hectares (1.1 million
acres) of land were burning in the region as of Monday morning, up from 371,300 hectares the previous day, according to the Aerial Forest
region threatened eight villages in and around the regional capital of Chita.The local diocese of the Russian Orthodox Churchannounced
social media.At least three firefighters have been killed while battling the blazes
they identified dozens of suspected arsonists, and law enforcement launched criminal investigations into negligence
Meanwhile, regional officials restricted travel on intercity roads without approval from local mayors.
