The Problem of Fire Disasters in Russia, Including Fires at Chernobyl-Type Nuclear Plants

Abstract

Fire disasters are among the most important factors that destabilize economic and social development. During the last 5 years nearly 200 000 buildings in Russia have been destroyed by fire. Their total area exceeds 13 000 000 m², including nearly 10 000 000 m² of dwellings. Millions of hectares of forest are also destroyed by fire. For instance, in 10 days of August 1992 up to 300 forest fires occurred every day, some of them covering 3000 hectares. In the central part of Russia alone, 9000 people equipped with 1300 units of fire-extinguishing material were engaged in forest fire-fighting.