MOSCOW. Aug 16 (Interfax) - Over the past 24 hours less wildfires broke out in Russia than were extinguished, the Emergency Situations Ministry said.
"During the past 24 hours, 248 fires appeared and 252 fires were extinguished. Presently there remain 494 fires covering a total area of 45,886 hectares," Interfax was told by the ministry on Monday.
It said 306 fires have been localized covering over 18,300 hectares. There remain 36 major fires covering over 32,000 hectares, 36 of them peat fires.
Since the start of summer, over 27,000 wildfires have been registered covering almost 857,000 hectares.
The ministry said that over 166,000 people are involved in putting out the fires. They are using 26,5000 vehicles, 62 planes and helicopters, as well as other pieces of equipment. Foreign countries have sent 515 people and 96 vehicles and other equipment, including three aircraft and six helicopters, to help Russia put out the blazes.