The crews fighting wildfires in Maritime Territory has been reinforced by air tanker Ilyushin Il-76, which has already started operation and has made one drop of 42 tons of water. There are also 2 Berieyve Be-200 ChS amphibious jets.

The Il-76 is one of the world’s largest water-bombing planes. It has internal water tankers and is able to drop 42 tons of water in one volley.

Using the Il-76 along with Be-200ChS amphibious jets enhances efficiency of fire suppression considerably. Concentrated drop from Il-76 beats the crown fire out and reduces large sources of fire. After that Be-200 contain the fires holding them from being fanned again.

The wildfire situation in Maritime Territory got worse several days ago. The cause of blazes is violation of fire safety rules by people going into forests to pick cones and to hunt. Maritime Territory is the only region in Russia having so many active wildfires in October.