Kazakhstan Deploys Helicopter, Crews to Tame Wildfire

A wildfire has broken out in the dry grasslands of the Kokmoyin tract in the Alakol district of Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu region, prompting an urgent and large-scale response from emergency services.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 90 personnel and 10 firefighting units, including teams from the Emergency Situations Department and the Forestry Service, have been deployed to combat the blaze, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

A Mi-8 helicopter from Kazaviaspas company, outfitted with a water-dumping system, has been mobilized for aerial firefighting support.

“The challenging mountainous terrain is hampering our efforts to contain the fire,” said the Zhetysu Regional Emergency Department in an official statement.

Firefighting crews continue working in difficult conditions to localize and extinguish the flames.