North of Moscow, Thursday morning arrived with a veil of smoke. The cause of the burning odor remained under investigation, according to the capital’s press service of the Ministry of Emergencies on August 18. Forest fires continued to burn in the Ryazan region, casting a pall over the capital’s atmosphere.
An official noted a sharp smell of burning in the air and reduced visibility. The southeast wind, carrying ash and smoke from the Ryazan fires, was expected to persist for another 36 to 48 hours, according to the weather forecast cited by RBC from a leading meteorologist.
The forecast from the Hydrometeorological Center covering Moscow and the Moscow Region warned of high fire hazard through the evening of August 18, with some areas experiencing a risk level classified as fourth, the highest on the local scale.
The day before, residents across western, southern, and southwestern Moscow reported the odor of smoke. Rosleskhoz had already noted burning smells near industrial zones in the Ryazan region, where five separate fires were brought under control across a total area of 185 hectares. Among the affected lands were forest fund areas, defense and security zones, and reserve lands, with fires impacting thousands of hectares in total.
Preliminary information pointed to human activity as the likely cause of several fires. Authorities stressed that there was no immediate threat to nearby settlements, and that the situation was being actively monitored.
In a related briefing, Greenpeace Russia highlighted a link to an earlier large burn area from 2010. The message described smoke spreading from a substantial peatland fire toward Moscow, affecting protected areas such as the Oksky Reserve and Meshchera National Park. Officials reported that local emergency resources, including forestry units, inspectors of protected areas, and aviation support, were deployed. Investigations suggested a high probability that a single negligent act contributed to the ignition, with dry conditions and heat amplifying the fire risk.
Local authorities noted that even modest smoke could drift into Moscow and the surrounding regions, potentially impacting air quality at the city’s edge. Officials urged residents to stay informed about air quality advisories and to limit outdoor activities if smoke levels worsened.
Deputy Governor of the Ryazan Region, Pavel Malkov, provided a live update on the situation via the regional channel. He reported three active outbreak sites with a total burned area around 181 hectares. Firefighting efforts involved more than 300 people and over 100 units of equipment. The Moscow Government contributed substantial support, and additional forces arrived from the wider Moscow region to assist in containment.
Earlier, city authorities responded to Muscovite concerns about smoke by dispatching a substantial firefighting and rescue contingent to the affected zones. The mayor of Moscow confirmed that 78 units of equipment were deployed, including air assets such as reconnaissance helicopters and extinguishing aircraft, to help local crews manage the fires from above.
From August 16 to 21, forest access in the eastern Moscow region faced restrictions due to the high level of fire danger. Officials from Rosleskhoz assured the public that no active fires were present within the Moscow region itself, including peat fires, while monitoring continued in nearby areas.
Rospotrebnadzor announced enhanced monitoring of air quality around Moscow, expanding the list of pollutants tested in the western, southern, and southwestern sectors of the city. The aim was to track pollutants released during combustion and ensure public health safety amid elevated fire risk.
In the ongoing situation, authorities emphasized the need for vigilance and cooperation as weather and ground conditions shaped the fire season, with the potential for smoke to linger and influence daily life in the capital and its suburbs. These measures were framed as part of a broader plan to safeguard residents while continuing to address fire suppression needs and environmental consequences. The public was urged to follow official channels for updates and to observe any revised guidance as the authorities worked to mitigate smoke impacts and restore normal conditions as swiftly as possible.