A forest fire erupted within Pribaikalsky National Park, drawing rapid attention from regional authorities and park staff. The incident drew official statements from the Reserved Pribaikalye press service, noting that the blaze required swift, coordinated action to protect both natural resources and visitors in the area. The response team included thirty paratroopers from the FBU Avialesookhrana, along with two state inspectors from the environmental protection division of Zapovednogo Pribaikalye, all arriving on site to manage and contain the flames. The operational plan accounted for the challenging terrain, with officials navigating a steep, rocky slope and irregular ledges that complicated both access and airflow, forcing teams to adjust tactics as conditions evolved. The fire advanced toward the national park via the Circum-Baikal Railway corridor, a critical travel and scenic route that now necessitated management and safety measures for anyone in the vicinity. (Source attribution: Reserved Pribaikalye press service)
The blaze posed a grave risk to the tourism infrastructure surrounding the Circum-Baikal Railway and the popular paths known as Dark Pad to Old Angasolka. In a troubling development, four tourists from Moscow reportedly attempted to extinguish embers by using fire, an act that only intensified the danger and ultimately led them to seek help from rescuers. Those travelers faced potential administrative penalties, and once the immediate threat was reduced and damage assessed, could confront criminal liability depending on the circumstances and regulatory findings.
By the evening of 7 May, the fire remained active, prompting closures on the heavily trafficked tourist segments along the Circum-Baikal Railway and the Dark Pad – Old Angasolka route. The closures were part of a broader safety protocol intended to prevent further exposure to flames and to safeguard hikers, campers, and railway travelers who use the area for recreation and study. Local authorities stressed that visitors should respect patrols, obey posted advisories, and avoid attempting to navigate the affected zones without official guidance.
In parallel, authorities in the neighboring Kurgan region heightened their alert level due to sentinel forest fire activity, reinforcing the broader regional readiness to respond to changing fire dynamics. The emergency management leadership, led by the head of the relevant ministry, activated an on-call task force to monitor conditions and coordinate with field units. The rapid deployment of personnel underscored the seriousness with which forest fire risks are treated in this part of the country, especially given the proximity of settlements and the potential for embers to drift into populated areas.
Across the broader landscape, park management and fire response teams emphasized ongoing surveillance, preventative measures, and public communication to reduce the chances of future incidents. Early reporting and transparent updates were highlighted as essential to maintaining public safety while balancing the need to preserve sensitive ecosystems and the park’s cultural and educational value for visitors. The situation remained under close observation as teams worked to stabilize the site and prevent rekindling, with authorities outlining next steps for recovery and rehabilitation after containment.