Direct speech

Sergey Vakhrukov, governor of the Yaroslavl region:

“We really hope it doesn’t burn.” Last year, we dealt with fires thanks to the creation of a fire safety system that dealt with the prevention and prompt extinguishing of fires. We reinforced the structures with special equipment, recruited additional employees and ultimately reduced all risks of burning to nothing.

Nadezhda Gerasimova, deputy chairman of the State Duma, in 2000-2004 and 2005-2007, deputy head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations:

— Last summer will not be repeated, the lesson has been learned. The law on voluntary fire brigade, initiated by the president, was adopted. In areas where it is too expensive to maintain departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, voluntary fire brigades will be created: people equipped with all the necessary means will be trained, on duty, and monitor the situation. It's up to the organization of preventive measures at the local level; responsibility for them lies with the governors.

Evgeniy Sidorov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Agroholding Moskovsky:

- I hope no. I would really not like the region to be choked in smoke again, because because of this, our company lost 500 million rubles last year. Flowers spoiled, vegetables grew poorly, and the quality of products decreased.

Oleg Kovalev, Governor of the Ryazan Region:

“No one can be completely insured against fires, especially since people learn their lessons poorly. But now the Ministry of Emergency Situations is working in an enhanced mode and is putting out fires caused by dry grass around the clock. In general, the readiness of forces and means is an order of magnitude higher than last year. We took into account the experience and began plowing settlements, agricultural and industrial sites in advance, improved the technical and personnel equipment of the state enterprise Pozhles, and took a number of other measures.

Miroslav Melnik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Betta Group:

“I’m afraid it only depends on nature.” In the Moscow Region they are only now thinking about buying a special helicopter, but there have already been proposals to ban people from going into the forest, which did not save anyone last year. It is necessary to equip the fire department and engage in fire prevention. We live in the 21st century, when from a satellite you can see the source of the fire, the culprits, even the license plate number of the car. This must be used.

Valery Serdyukov, Governor of the Leningrad Region:

“Last year nothing burned here and we hope nothing will happen this year.” Frightened by the experience of our neighbors, we allocated additional funds to ensure fire safety. But weather conditions are always unpredictable. There is little water this year, despite the abundance of snow, and the forest is already dry. So you need to be alert and work to prevent fires.

Alexander Isaev, scientific director of the Center for Problems of Ecology and Forest Productivity of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in 1988-1991, chairman of the USSR State Committee on Forests:

“We cannot say that the risk of fires is minimal. Organizational preparations are underway, but the bureaucratic machine is moving very slowly. And this is understandable, because the forest management system, including fire prevention measures, was violated. Foresters were exterminated, forestry enterprises were destroyed. Restoration is currently only at the clerical level. Fire-fighting equipment has not yet reached the forest protection authorities.

Will everything burn down in the summer?