The head of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, Alexander Kurenkov, urgently traveled to the Kurgan region after a warning of fast-moving fires. A powerful wind has created conditions that push natural fires from forests and dry grass toward several communities in the area, raising alarms among local authorities and residents alike.
In a briefing, the minister said that the fires have already crossed from wooded areas into multiple settlements. He called the situation difficult and stressed the need for a direct on-the-ground assessment of fire behavior, fuel loads, and terrain. The goal is to quickly organize the necessary forces, align response assets, and factor in all risks and variables that could affect containment efforts.
Accompanying the minister, an operational group from his division departed for the region to support field command posts, evaluate fire spread dynamics, and coordinate evacuation and protection measures with local authorities. The joint team will review the current and planned actions, ensuring frontline crews have access to suitable equipment and protection as conditions evolve.
Earlier reports indicated that eight settlements in the area faced fire threats that could affect more than four thousand residents. In response, authorities began evacuations of about 765 local residents to safer locations. The fires, which damaged or destroyed a number of structures in Ivankovo, Kodskoye, Uldus, and Ploskoy, have increased the tally of buildings lost to 42. Rescue and recovery teams are prioritizing life safety, securing perimeters, and safeguarding critical infrastructure while monitoring for shifts in wind and humidity that could alter the fire’s direction.
Officials in the Kurgan region had already declared a regional state of emergency due to the fires, signaling a centralized mobilization of resources. In the days ahead, officials expect continued weather-driven risks and are coordinating with neighboring districts to ensure rapid deployment of firefighting equipment, air support, and relief services as needed. Community leaders are working to inform residents about evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and safety protocols, while emergency services prepare to assist with medical emergencies, power outages, and communication continuity as conditions unfold.