17:00, 13 March 2013

Forest is on fire in Untsukul District of Dagestan after special operation

The special operation in a forest near the village of Balakhani, Untsukul District of Dagestan is over, according to local residents. They report that last night militaries left the area; however, the forest, ignited by shelling, is still on fire.

The militaries left the place of the special operation about 10:30 p.m. Moscow time on March 12, the locals say. "There were no searches, no interrogations, nobody was asked or informed. They just blocked the road and shelled the forest," said a resident of Balakhani.

According to his story, about five hectares of the forest have burned down; and now the fire area is about two hectares. "This is the area near the villages of Balakhani and Kharachi. There are no roads there; and one can get there only on foot or by helicopter. But if the fire is not extinguished, the fire may threaten these villages," said the source.

The Russia's Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) for the Republic of Dagestan has confirmed that the forest is on fire in the Untsukul District; but assured that there was no threat to nearby villages from that fire.

Author: Aida Magomedova

Source: CK correspondent