A top specialist from the Phobos meteorological center, Evgeny Tishkovets, issued a warning that Moscow can expect the peak smoke density on the morning of August 21. The warning ties the bad air quality to the ongoing fires in the Ryazan region, a fact he shared in a public statement via the center’s channels. The expert explained that the Central Federal District is currently facing a fire hazard level that ranks as four, while the Ryazan region shows a level that is even higher. He attributed this escalation to an unusually dry and hot August across the district, noting that Moscow itself has recorded merely about 3 millimeters of rainfall throughout the period. The forecast emphasizes that dry conditions persist and will likely sustain the current risk for several days, with occasional showers possible only in patches within the southern parts of the Central Federal District.
Over the next three days, residents of Moscow and nearby areas can expect a brief relief from the heat. Short, intermittent rains are likely to affect some southern districts, and daytime temperatures should stay below 28 degrees Celsius. This temporary cool-down could provide firefighters with a window to advance in their efforts to control the Ryazan forest fires. In parallel, the anticyclone over the Volga-Vyatka region is projected to reassert itself, expanding the high-pressure air mass and pushing away clouds. As a result, conditions in Central Russia may swing back to the hotter end of the spectrum in the following week, with temperatures exceeding 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. The Phobos forecaster notes that these August readings echo the extreme weather patterns observed in 1972, a year when drought severely affected agriculture across the USSR.
The meteorologist highlighted that a southeast wind is expected to remain for three to five days. The wind pattern could carry the odor of smoke over a broader area, making the presence of wildfire embers noticeable to residents for additional days. This persistent wind direction often amplifies smoke dispersion and affects air quality downwind of the fires, a factor that weather agencies monitor closely in real time.
In related developments, Rosleskhoz previously issued statements accusing forestry authorities in the Ryazan region of not fully disclosing the scale of the forest fires. The claim centers on concerns about delayed mobilization of federal resources, which could hinder timely firefighting work and complicate risk assessment for nearby communities. Authorities emphasize that gathering accurate data is crucial for coordinating response efforts and for informing the public about safety measures and air quality advisories.
For residents across the impacted areas, authorities urge adherence to health and safety guidelines during periods of poor air quality. Protective measures include limiting outdoor activity during peak smoke hours, using air purifiers indoors, and wearing appropriate masks when exposure is unavoidable. Meteorological services will continue to monitor the situation, providing regular updates as weather systems evolve and as firefighting operations progress. The overarching message remains clear: weather patterns and wind dynamics, combined with the ongoing fires, are likely to influence air quality for several days, with intermittent improvements possible when showers occur or when the wind shifts away from densely burned zones.