Ilim contributes staff, equipment, to firefighting efforts in Russia's Bratsk region, spokesman says fire is spreading through forest floor, tree roots and soil

Wendy Lisney

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia , October 4, 2011 (Ilim) – Employees of the Bratsk Branch of OJSC Ilim Group are actively involved in efforts to extinguish the forest fires which caused local authorities to declare a state of emergency today.

The Branch sent 280 operational staff members, 44 emergency rescue team members, 6 fire tank trucks, 6 water trucks, and 2 bulldozers to take part in the firefighting operations.

"What makes the current situation particularly complex is that the fire is spreading in the forest floor, tree roots, and soil, which renders traditional fire extinguishing methods ineffective, because water soaks in fast and does not reach the fire itself," says Alexey Sukhikh, Deputy Director Occupational, Environmental and Fire Safety of OJSC Ilim Group.

It should be noted that wildfire situation has been complicated in Bratsk for several days already.

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