Increase in forest fires observed in Yakutia region
The number of extinguished forest fires in Yakutia, Russia's Sakha Republic, has significantly increased over the past few days. According to the latest reports, the total area affected by active forest fires in Yakutia increased from about 265 hectares earlier in July to 1,462.5 hectares by July 22, and continued to grow into late July.
Between July 29 and July 30 alone, the total area affected by active forest fires increased further, although exact figures for July 30 are not yet available. This trend indicates a rapid expansion of fire-affected areas around this period.
Comparing to last year, forest fires across Russia have been intense in 2025. Since the beginning of the year, about 4,900 forest fires have burned an area of 3.9 million hectares nationwide, including substantial portions of boreal forests like those in Yakutia. While direct comparative statistics specifically between 2024 and 2025 for Yakutia alone were not found, the scale and increase in 2025 suggest a more severe fire season than usual in this region.
On July 29, there were 21 active forest fires in Yakutia, covering an area of 21,384 hectares. Over the past 24 hours, 6 forest fires with a total burned area of 741 hectares have been extinguished. Since the beginning of the season, a total of 423 natural fires covering an area of 66,773 hectares have been extinguished. Of these, 229 were forest fires covering an area of 59,185 hectares.
The forest fires were located in the Verkhoyansk, Oymyakon, Tatтин, Tompon, and Ust-Yansky districts. No new information about the current number or location of active forest fires was provided in the latest report.
The Ministry of Ecology of Yakutia and Nikolai Nikitin, head of the Department of Forest Protection, Fire Prevention, and Forest Management of the Ministry of Ecology, Nature Management, and Forestry, reported these figures.
Russia is currently experiencing one of its worst fire seasons, with thousands of fires covering millions of hectares. The intensification of forest fires in Yakutia fits this broader national pattern, exacerbated by regional climatic factors such as prolonged daylight, heatwaves, and dry vegetation.
| Date | Fire Area in Yakutia (ha) | Notes | |-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | July 22, 2025 | 1,462.5 ha | Sharp increase from 265 ha earlier in July[1]| | July 29-30, 2025 | Continued increase (exact figure not specified)| Indicative of worsening fire situation | | 2024 (full year) | Data not specifically given for Yakutia | 2025 shows extensive fires nationally, likely worsened locally[2] |
The increasing trend in forest fires in Yakutia, as noted from July 22 to July 29, raises concerns in the field of environmental science and climate-change studies, considering the drastic expansion of affected areas and the resemblance to Russia's nationwide intense forest fires in 2025. The scientific community may further investigate the impact of these fires on weather patterns and the environment, given the regional climatic factors like prolonged daylight, heatwaves, and dry vegetation adding fuel to the discussion.
