Russia wildfires near main nuclear site
Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:44:50 GMT


A firefighter tries to stop fire near the Russian village of Dolginino on August 4, 2010.
Wildfires in Russia are nearing the country's main nuclear research site in the central city of Sarov as under-equipped firefighters struggle to tame the fire.

The wildfires in the area of Bryansk, hit by fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in 1986, have caused concern among Russian and European citizens. The fear is that winds or fire could allow radioactive particles in the soil to become active, Press TV correspondent in Moscow reported.

Although the wildfires have been brought under control for the time being in the contaminated area, Russian Greenpeace was the first to warn that the situation will change dramatically if there is a new fire — which is expected in the coming days.

Even though the risk of radioactive pollution for Moscow and Europe is minimal, Greenpeace says the danger for the local population in Bryansk is significant.

Bryansk remains contaminated although radioactivity has diminished substantially since the 1986 explosions. There are fears of radiation if the fire reaches the actual site, the report says.

While firefighters are digging up the earth around a burning forest to keep the flames from spreading, they say blazes are impossible to put out without planes and helicopters.

“At the moment... the people fighting these fires do not have enough equipment... to operate in high radioactive pollution," says Vladimir Chuprov form Greenpeace.

Greenpeace in Moscow, working with the International Atomic Energy Agency, says the winds have now changed their direction to the north, reducing the risk that radioactive particles reach Eastern Europe or the Baltic region.

Still experts say the danger remains as long as weather forecasts show high temperature and strong winds.

“After the Chernobyl accident, a cloud of radiation covered the region. The radiation still exists on the upper level of forest soil. When fire reaches these areas, the radioactive substances rise into the atmosphere," said Greenpeace environmental expert Vladimir Slivyak.

On Thursday, the extent of forest fires in Russia's central European provinces showed signs of abating. President Dmitry Medvedev cancelled a fire-related state of emergency in three of seven Russian provinces, including Moscow.

Even though the government insists there is no reason for panic, experts and activists think differently.

Meanwhile in Moscow, police clashed with hundreds of people staging a rally against the government on Thursday. The protesters accused the Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov of mishandling the situation and demanded his resignation.

ASH/JG/MGH

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138514&sectionid=351020602