As of today, 17 April, there are 31 wildfires in 23 soums (districs) of seven of Mongolia’s 21 provinces, namely; Arkhangai, Bulgan, Dornod, Selenge, Sukhbaatar, Khentii and Khuvsgul, reports the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The unseasonal lack of rainfall has left large parts of the country vulnerable to wildfires. This, combined with high winds has created a very dangerous situation.

So far, the wildfires have destroyed an area of 98.200 hectares, three livestock fences and a car, caused total losses of MNT 2.9 billion nationwide.

Currently, three active fires are burning in the Eruu Soum of Selenge Province, the Jargalant Soum of Khuvsgul Province as well as the Bayan-Uul and Bayandun Soums of Dornod province. According to NEMA, the fire spread across the border into Russia due to high 14-16 m/sec winds yesterday (16 April). More than 50 firefighters, 24 local volunteers and 13 border troops have been battling to extinguish the blaze.