Decrease in Forest Fires observed in Buryatia
In the remote and picturesque region of Buryatia, Russia, the ongoing wildfire crisis has shown no signs of abating. As of July 4, local authorities reported 15 active forest fires covering more than 46,112 hectares, a significant increase from the 28,924 hectares reported earlier.
The surge in forest fires this year is part of a wider severe wildfire situation in Russia. In the spring alone, fires spread over nearly 3 million hectares across the country, with Buryatia among the hardest-hit regions. As of early June, local authorities reported 16 active fires covering over 101,000 hectares in Buryatia[1].
The causes of the fires are numerous. They started early in the season, beginning in April, and many were "runaway grassroots fires," spreading rapidly through sparse woodland and forest litter. The remote and difficult-to-access terrain in Buryatia and neighboring Trans-Baikal Territory complicates firefighting efforts[1].
Satellite monitoring by Roscosmos, using the Meteor-M satellite, has detected heavy smoke from wildfires near multiple Buryatia settlements, indicating ongoing severe fire activity. Satellite imagery is crucial in tracking fire spread and smoke plumes, providing data for emergency response coordination[2].
Local and federal forestry agencies have been actively combating fires despite challenging conditions. Due to large remote areas affected, firefighting teams face difficulties in accessing and suppressing fires quickly. However, satellite data support firefighting by enabling better situational awareness and targeting of resources[1][2].
The number of active forest fires in the republic has decreased from 20 on July 3 to 15 as of July 4. The new fires were caused by dry thunderstorms. Seven fires have been extinguished in the Bauntovsky, Eravinsky, Kabansky, and Pribaikal districts, covering a total area of 14,190 hectares. No new forest fires have been discovered as of the latest update.
Fires are currently burning in the Barguzin, Bauntovsky, Eravinsky, Kizhinginsky, and Kяхtinsky districts. A total of 72 units of equipment are being used in the firefighting efforts. Over 600 people, including 103 federal reserve personnel, 50 employees of the Tyumen aviation base, 43 people from Khabarovsk, 12 from Kirov, 20 from Arkhangelsk, 16 from Perm, and 10 from Vologda, are among those involved.
A state of emergency remains in effect in the forest fund of Buryatia. The total area affected by the fires is now 46,112 hectares, a substantial increase from the previous figure of 28,924 hectares. The crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the importance of effective wildfire management strategies.
[1] Buryatia Forestry Department, Press Release, June 2025. [2] Roscosmos, Satellite Monitoring Report, June-July 2025.
The ongoing wildfire crisis in Buryatia, Russia, is part of a larger severe wildfire situation influenced by climate change that has been exacerbated by over 3 million hectares of wildfires spreading across the country in the spring alone. As the weather continues to be a factor in the rapid spread of these fires, the importance of using environmental science, such as satellite monitoring, in firefighting efforts becomes increasingly apparent.
