An Emergency Ministry’s Beriyev Be-200ChS plane has arrived today from the city of Khabarovsk to Yakutsk to reinforce the team fighting wildfires. The plane is going to battle fires in Viluiysk District which is the worst-hit area now.

The amphibious jet Be-200ChS is recognized as one of the most efficient water-bombing aircraft in the world. Its unique feature is that it can fill up its tanks with 12 tons of water while gliding and then drop fire retardants onto fires. Its considerable advantage is its high climbing capacity, the capability to drop water both all at once and by consecutive opening its water tanks and the ability to operate in limited space, for instance in mountains or hard-to-reach areas.

Be-200ChS planes piloted by Emergency Ministry’s experienced crews have showed themselves to good advantage both in Russia and abroad.

The ground crew has also been reinforced over the past 24 hours. The wildfire situation is under control. There is no threat to settlements, businesses and social facilities in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

The regional state of emergency and a total fire ban have been declared in all forests in the republic to prevent more wildfires.

Each day employees of the Emergency Ministry and cooperating agencies make efforts to prevent wildfires in Sakha. Specialists of the Sakha’s Forest Relationships Department, village headmen, patrols, patrol maneuvering and controlling teams are also involved in this work.