A large wildfire in the North Caucasus republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia has caused significant destruction over the past two days, leading to the evacuation of nearly 250 people from a popular nature reserve in the region. The blaze began in the resort town of Dombay, trapping groups of tourists and prompting a swift response from emergency authorities. Eyewitness videos captured the thick plume of smoke rising into the air over the picturesque landscape, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry reported that some of the stranded tourists were successfully evacuated, with a total of 236 individuals, including 43 children, brought to safety by Friday morning. The ministry noted that the fire had spread to engulf 15 hectares (37 acres) of the Gonachkhir gorge, but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching the nearby village of Dombay. Prior to this, federal forest protection officials had indicated that the fire at the Teberda Nature Reserve, where Dombay is located, had consumed seven hectares (17.3 acres) of land.
Regional head Rashid Temrezov assured that no injuries had been reported in connection with the wildfire, providing some relief amid the chaos and destruction caused by the blaze. The situation remains precarious as firefighters continue to battle the flames and work to contain the spread of the fire in order to prevent further damage to the surrounding area. Authorities are urging residents and tourists in the region to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols to minimize the risk of additional harm.
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