Fires continue in the Chernobyl zone: air quality in Kyiv has deteriorated sharply
29 June 22:51
In the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, efforts continue to extinguish the wildfires that broke out after Russian drones crashed. Due to the spread of smoke in Kyiv and several districts of the Kyiv region, air quality and visibility have deteriorated sharply. This was reported by the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, the Sentinel-5P satellite detected plumes of polluted air with elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These plumes extended up to 170 kilometers from the fire sites.
At the same time, radiation levels in the fire zone remain within normal limits.
The fires began after Russian drones crashed
Fires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone broke out on June 25.
The State Agency of Ukraine for the Management of the Exclusion Zone stated that the fires were caused by the crash of Russian drones.
As a result, forest areas and dry vegetation caught fire. Due to the hot weather, the complex terrain, and the inaccessibility of certain areas, the fire has not yet been fully extinguished.
As of June 29, hot spots in the exclusion zone were still burning.
Air quality in Kyiv has deteriorated sharply
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute reported that on June 27–28, smoke from the fires began to spread south of the fire hotspots.
As a result, air quality and visibility deteriorated in:
- Kyiv;
- the Vyshhorod District;
- the Bucha district;
- the Brovary District of Kyiv Oblast.
Elevated levels of combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter, were detected in the air.
Such pollution can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, coughing, headaches, and general malaise.
The plume of polluted air stretched 170 kilometers
Experts analyzed data from the Sentinel-5P satellite.
According to the observations, plumes of polluted air with elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter spread from the fire sites.
“According to data from the Sentinel-5P satellite, plumes of polluted air with elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter were detected, extending up to 170 kilometers from the fire hotspots,” the institute reported.
This indicates that combustion byproducts can affect air quality far beyond the boundaries of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Smoke may once again blanket Kyiv
Experts from the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute warned that the direction of smoke dispersion depends on the wind.
If the wind blows from the north, the smoke could once again drift toward Kyiv.
Therefore, residents of the capital and the Kyiv region are advised to monitor air quality readings and official announcements.
The situation may change rapidly depending on the weather, wind strength, and the intensity of the fires.
More than 200 people are fighting the fires
More than 200 people and about 60 pieces of specialized equipment have been deployed to fight the fires in the Chernobyl zone.
The following units are working on site:
- units of the State Emergency Service;
- employees of enterprises in the exclusion zone;
- specialized firefighting equipment;
- a combined detachment of the State Emergency Service of Kyiv Oblast.
Rescuers are extinguishing open fires, dousing smoldering areas, and creating mineralized barriers to prevent the fire from spreading further.
The heat is making the rescuers’ work more difficult
Firefighters are working under extremely difficult conditions.
Due to the high air temperature directly near the fire sources, the temperature in some places reaches about 50 degrees.
Firefighting efforts are also complicated by:
- dry vegetation;
- heavy smoke;
- smoldering forest litter;
- the remoteness of some fire hotspots;
- difficult access for firefighting equipment;
- mine hazards in certain areas.
Even after the open flames have been extinguished, some areas may continue to smolder.
What Is Happening with the Radiation Background
The State Emergency Service and the State Agency of Ukraine for the Management of the Exclusion Zone constantly monitor the radiation situation.
Monitoring is carried out continuously using an automated system.
As of June 29, no exceedances of the reference levels for the equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation have been recorded.
The radiation background remains within normal limits.
Experts are continuing to monitor the situation, as it depends on the area affected by the fires, the intensity of the burning, and weather conditions.
