Russia declares emergency due to wildfire

MOSCOW - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday declared a state of emergency in seven regions engulfed by wildfires, including Moscow, and restricted citizens’ entry to certain areas.

All of the affected regions were in central Russia, including Moscow, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Mariy El, Mordovia, Voronezh and Ryazan, Xinhua reported.

The president also ordered the armed forces to help in countering the aftermath of the fires that have claimed the lives of at least 34 people and left thousands of others homeless.

Temperatures across western and central Russia topped 35 degrees Celsius in the last five weeks, causing forest fires and creating one of the worst drought situations in the country.