Taiga fires spread to another thousand hectares in a day in Russia's TransBaikalia. "At present there are 31 fires on a territory of 5.6 thousand hectares," Itar-Tass quoted the regional emergency center as saying on Saturday. Twelve fires have been localized on a space of 3.2 thousand hectares while 19 fires continue to rage on a territory of nearly 2.4 thousand hectares, it specified. The center said strong wind impedes the anti-fire effort and the blaze may reach residential settlements. A major fire has come as close as three kilometers to the village of Amazar in Mogochin district. 390 firemen and 72 pieces of hardware, including seven helicopters and three planes are engaged in the fight against the fires.
