Russia: Sporadic disruptions likely during wildfire season through September

Event

Wildfires could cause sporadic, localized disruptions to transport and business operations in rural areas of Russia at least through the end of September, especially in Siberia and the Far East.

Wildfires are a typical feature of the Russian summer, particularly after long dry spells or during extreme temperatures, and can lead to evacuations, road closures, and ground transport diversions. Disruption to arterial roads, including the Trans-Siberian Highway, is possible. The scarcity of alternative routes in some areas means that significant transport disruptions are possible at times. Authorities may restrict the movement of heavy goods vehicles on sections of federal highways if local temperatures exceed 32 C (90 F) and could declare local states of emergency to facilitate the emergency response to severe incidents. While authorities are experienced in minimizing the potential impact, roads in remote regions are likely to be disrupted for more extended periods due to their relative inaccessibility.

Health
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions - such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Transport
Heavy smoke can impede visibility, producing hazardous driving conditions on some roads and could prompt short-notice flight disruptions if wildfires occur near airports. Railways can also experience occasional cancellation of services and long delays. In particular, any disruption to the Trans-Siberian Railway will lead to a significantly wider impact due to the lack of alternative routes.

Advice

Maintain flexible itineraries if traveling in Russia, particularly in remote, rural areas through September. Seek updated information on road conditions if planning to travel near affected areas; exercise caution if smoke reduces visibility. Review and update emergency action plans in rural areas. If based in an affected area, not under evacuation warnings, consider remaining inside well-ventilated, air-conditioned spaces to reduce exposure to smoke. Heed all instructions from local authorities and emergency response personnel.

Resources

Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring