The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reports that firefighting efforts are underway in the Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, and Chernihiv regions, where nine wildfires have affected over 2,000 hectares. Six of these fires have been localized.
In the Rivne region, a forest fire covering 90 hectares has been contained in the Sarny district. Meanwhile, in Zhytomyr, a large-scale forest fire continues to be addressed in the Polissya Nature Reserve, with an estimated area of 500 hectares burning. Strong winds and high temperatures are exacerbating the fire’s spread. Complicating the situation is the presence of landmines in some areas, limiting the ability of firefighters to operate effectively. Demining specialists from the State Emergency Service are involved in the response, alongside the use of drones and robotic technology.
In the Kyiv region, a fire in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has affected 1,180 hectares of forest understory. Firefighters indicate that dry weather and sudden gusts of wind are contributing to the fire’s rapid expansion. In Chernihiv, a forest fire in border areas has reached approximately 1,200 hectares. Due to the proximity to the border, chaotic landmining, and the threat of Russian shelling, the deployment of emergency service personnel and equipment is currently unfeasible. Forest workers are creating mineralized strips to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Earlier today, officials from the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration reported that fires caused by Russian strikes in border areas have now covered over 4,000 hectares, prompting the possibility of evacuations.
According to the State Emergency Service, a total of 379 firefighters and 99 units of equipment are engaged in the firefighting efforts across all locations. Amid the fires in the Chernobyl zone, authorities have confirmed that the radiation background in Kyiv remains stable.
Firefighting operations are ongoing in several northern regions of Ukraine, where wildfires have affected thousands of hectares. The situation is complicated by environmental conditions and security concerns due to landmines and proximity to conflict areas.