Forest fires have started in the Angara region because of last years grass burning, and Governor Igor Yesipovsky assessed the scale of the threat during a flight over several districts. At the same time, flood conditions remain tense in the upper Lena, and around the clock duty by the Emergencies Ministry and observers begins on April 15. At field meetings they discussed how to strengthen the fight against fires and prevent a possible second wave of floods.

Forest fires have begun in the Angara region. The cause is last year’s grass burning. This weekend, Governor Igor Esipovsky flew by helicopter over the territories of the Irkutsk, Ekhirit-Bulagatsky, Bayandayevsky, and Kachugsky districts
The so-called agricultural burns on hayfields lead to the fire reaching the forest and spreading deeper into it. The flood situation in the upper reaches of the Lena also remains tense. In the river’s flat section, the ice has practically gone everywhere. Ice jams may arise only in one shallow area where the Lena makes sharp bends. There is a possibility of a second wave of flooding when active snowmelt and ice drift begin in the mountains and foothills. Starting April 15, round-the-clock duty will be introduced for EMERCOM forces and observers monitoring the hydrological situation on the Lena and its tributaries.
- Forest fires and floods are irreparable damage, they are enormous sums of money and problems for decades to come, and they are connected not only with ecology, but also with the economy. Despite the decrease in the number of emergencies, the problem is not going away, and it needs to be dealt with very seriously, - said Igor Esipovsky.
Igor Esipovsky discussed the problems of extinguishing forest fires, as well as flood control, at on-site meetings. At the Irkutsk aviation forest protection base, the head of the region became acquainted with the equipment, machinery, and communications of the staff. And at the Space Monitoring Center, the governor heard reports from specialists of the Baikal region’s forestry complex and representatives of agencies involved in the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.