Moscow, May 16, 2025 – The wildfire situation in Russia’s Siberian region has become increasingly severe, with over 1.4 million hectares of forest already burned since the start of the year, according to the Russian Federal Forestry Agency.
The blazes first erupted in late April in the Zabaykalsky Krai area of Buryatia, located in eastern Siberia. Authorities promptly declared a state of emergency in the region, but despite continuous efforts by emergency crews, the fires remain largely uncontrolled and the crisis is escalating.
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Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, as reported by state news agency TASS, confirmed that the wildfires have already consumed over 629,000 hectares of forestland in Zabaykalsky Krai alone. The Ministry of Defense acknowledged that firefighters and disaster response teams are struggling to bring the fires under control, working around the clock without significant progress.
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At present, 49 distinct wildfire zones are still burning in Zabaykalsky Krai, a region situated near the Mongolian border. In response, the Buryatia regional authorities have enforced a total restriction on access to forested areas and have expanded the state of emergency throughout the entire region. According to the Federal Aerial Forest Protection Service, more than 2,100 wildfire incidents have been recorded across Russia so far in 2025.
The European climate monitoring agency Copernicus reports that the wildfires have now spread across hundreds of miles, posing serious threats not only to ecosystems but also to air quality and climate stability in the region.
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Traditionally known for its cold climate, Russia has been experiencing an unusually high number of wildfires this year, driven by dry weather, high temperatures, and lack of rainfall — conditions widely attributed to climate change.
The Russian forestry department also noted that the total area burned in Russia this year is three times larger than the combined wildfire damage in the United States and Canada during the same period.
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Environmental experts warn that such widespread forest loss could have long-term consequences for global climate patterns, biodiversity, and regional weather systems. As international attention grows, there are increasing calls for enhanced global cooperation in combating the escalating threat of wildfires linked to environmental change.
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