Mongolia eyes foreign help to extinguish spreading wildfires
ULAN BATOR, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister M. Enkhbold has said his country would ask China and Russia for help to extinguish the spreading wildfires should the current situation worsen further.
Enkhbold, also chairman of the National Emergency Committee, made the remarks on Thursday during an emergency meeting held to seek measures to control the wildfires.
The National Emergency Management Authority reported that at present there are a total of 20 forest and steppe wildfires within its territory, among which 14 are still burning.
Some wildfires broke out in mountainous areas, and there was no road for vehicles to pass through. So the firefighters had to walk dozens of kilometers to launch their fire-fighting operation.
Moreover, strong winds and their often changing directions further increased the difficulties for the fire fighting efforts.
Since the beginning of 2012, there have been a total of 129 forest and steppe wildfires in Mongolia and most were caused by human factors.
Mongolia has long been stricken by a drought since this spring and the forests and steppe are highly exposed to fire risks. The National Emergency Committee has ordered local authorities to strengthen their fire prevention work.
Editor: Lu Hui
Enkhbold, also chairman of the National Emergency Committee, made the remarks on Thursday during an emergency meeting held to seek measures to control the wildfires.
The National Emergency Management Authority reported that at present there are a total of 20 forest and steppe wildfires within its territory, among which 14 are still burning.
Some wildfires broke out in mountainous areas, and there was no road for vehicles to pass through. So the firefighters had to walk dozens of kilometers to launch their fire-fighting operation.
Moreover, strong winds and their often changing directions further increased the difficulties for the fire fighting efforts.
Since the beginning of 2012, there have been a total of 129 forest and steppe wildfires in Mongolia and most were caused by human factors.
Mongolia has long been stricken by a drought since this spring and the forests and steppe are highly exposed to fire risks. The National Emergency Committee has ordered local authorities to strengthen their fire prevention work.
Editor: Lu Hui
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