A large wildfire continues to rage in the Abai region within the Semey Ormany reserve. On the orders of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the ministers of emergency situations and ecology flew to the area, reports infohub.kz.
The fire broke out in the Borodulikha branch of the state forest reserve Semey Ormany. Firefighting efforts involve units of the Emergency Ministry, forestry workers, police, and aviation from the Emergency Ministry, Defense Ministry, and National Security Committee. Due to the threat of fire spread, rescuers, together with police and the local administration, preemptively evacuated the children's camp 'Dos-bolLike'. Some 220 people, including 190 children and 30 camp staff, were taken to the city of Semey. According to the latest data, the threat to the village of Kamyzhenka has passed.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the fire has engulfed about 60 hectares of forest. Approximately 600 people, 148 units of ground equipment, and seven helicopters are involved in the firefighting. Aviation has conducted 81 water drops with a total volume of 89 tons. To reinforce the response, additional Emergency Ministry units from the Abai region, East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions, and from Astana have arrived at the fire zone. Forces from the Yertis Ormany enterprise and an Emergency Ministry military unit have also joined the operation.
Police have blocked access to the danger zone, ensuring passage for specialized equipment and protecting residents' property. The Emergency Ministry's operational headquarters is coordinating the work of all services. Specialists are continuing to contain the fire from the ground and air, the ministry reported.