VITEBSK, 12 August (BelTA) – In Vitebsk Oblast composite fire-fighting teams have been put on alert to fight forest and peatland fires, BelTA learned from Marina Fando, press secretary of the Vitebsk Oblast Department of the Emergencies Ministry. There are composite fire-fighting teams in every district of the oblast. There are over 150 composite fire-fighting teams numbering a total of about 2,500 people. They have over 500 vehicles to deliver water and extinguish fires. The teams are well-equipped. Once alerted, they move together with Emergencies Ministry units to a fire hazard. They also take measures to prevent fires from spreading onto residential communities and industrial installations. Due to the continued heat wave and lack of rains the probability of fires is high, particularly in eastern parts of the oblast. Weather service expects air temperature to reach 37C in the forthcoming weekend, 39C in some parts. Over 850 people have been hired to monitor the state of forests and peatlands, including local residents. In seven districts it is forbidden to visit forests: Vitebsk District, Polotsk District, Senno District, Tolochin District, Liozno District, Dubrovno District, and Orsha District. In the oblast there are 592 fire-hazardous areas, including 64 peatlands and 528 forest territories.

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