Massive fires swept through the Urals Federal District, consuming roughly 5,700 buildings and leaving more than 500 homes uninhabitable. Officials reported the figure to TASS, citing a source within the emergency services. The scale of the destruction underscores how quickly wildfires can spread across forested and rural areas, especially when weather conditions turn dry and winds shift in unpredictable patterns.
Among the regions affected, the Kurgan area sustained the greatest damage, with about 5,200 structures reported burned. Local authorities have described extensive losses across multiple municipalities, prompting a broad emergency response and priority rescue operations for residents displaced by the fires. The regional fire service has emphasized that the high number of outbuildings and utility structures contributed to the challenging containment efforts observed in recent days.
As new updates circulated, the agency spokesperson noted, “Based on the latest information, the large-scale fires in the Urals have destroyed approximately 5,700 buildings, including 535 residences.” The statement reflects the evolving nature of the incident, with investigators and responders continually reconciling ground reports with satellite imagery and on-site assessments to guide resource allocation and evacuation decisions.
In remarks from the ministry, Alexander Kurenkov, who previously led the Ministry of Emergency Situations, outlined expectations that firefighters would push toward suppressing the wildfires across the Urals by the end of May 9. He stressed the importance of sustained coordination among federal, regional, and local teams, noting that progress hinges on weather patterns stabilizing, ground access remaining available, and the timely deployment of specialized equipment to frontier zones where flames threaten communities and critical infrastructure.
To strengthen the firefighting effort, a substantial aviation response has been mobilized. The air group includes four Il-76 airframes, a Be-200 amphibious aircraft, along with Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters. This air support plays a critical role in dropping water and fire retardants on remote footholds, delivering supplies to crews, and providing rapid transport for personnel and medical evacuees when needed. Ground crews remain on site, conducting backburn operations, creating firebreaks, and reinforcing regional firefighting units that have faced sustained strain from prolonged exposure to hot conditions and smoke.
The forest fire situation in the Urals has intensified in the past week, with dense smoke and fog visible across many urban centers. Local residents have reported reduced visibility, affecting transportation and daily life. Emergency services continue to issue guidance on staying indoors during peak smoke hours, closing compounds around vulnerable facilities, and coordinating with civil defense units to manage evacuations efficiently. As terrain and weather conditions evolve, responders are focused on preserving critical assets, protecting residential clusters, and preventing further spread toward populated areas. The overall response remains a collaborative effort across national, regional, and municipal levels, with ongoing situational updates issued as conditions change.