Ukraine: Forest fires kill four in Luhansk oblast October 1

Event

A series of forest fires occurring across the Luhansk oblast have killed at least four people and hospitalized ten others as of Thursday, October 1. A total of 22 settlements in Kryakivka Novoaydarska, Novoaydarsky, and Starobelsk districts are currently threatened and at least 18 structures have been damaged. Traffic on the Novoaydar-Severodonetsk highway has also been limited as emergency operations occur. The blazes have consumed an area of 18,000 hectares (44,479 acres) and emergency services have stated that of the 85 fires affecting the area, 43 of them remain active. High winds in the area have complicated firefighting operations.

Further spread of the fires is possible in the near term. An emergency response presence and localized transportation disruptions, namely road closures, should be anticipated in the affected areas.

Advice

Those in the vicinity of the fires are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.