Bektenov gives instructions to ministries and local authorities on wildfire prevention
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan gave instructions to the country’s ecology, industry and emergency situations ministries as well as local authorities regarding wildfire prevention, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
According to Bektenov, material and technical equipment of forestry facilities and digital monitoring of fires are yet to be addressed in the country. For instance, a third of fire-fighting equipment of forestry facilities of Semey Ormany reserve should be written off, whereas fire detection information system covers a mere 33% of the territory.
Lack of modern technology and wildfire fighting means contributes to delays in adopting prompt measures to counter fire. In this regard, it is necessary to actively apply digital response systems. It’s important to use broadly unmanned aerial vehicles, allowing for full aerovisual examinations of forests and steppes, said Bektenov, highlighting broader application of drones in different sectors of economy.
The Kazakh Prime Minister tasked the industry and construction ministry to review establishment of production of drones in the country.
Bektenov recalled that this May he’d given instructions to local authorities to prepare for possible wildfires during the government session, however, according to him, this work is conducted poorly in some of the regions. For instance, Abai, Zhetysu, Karaganda, Kostanay and Pavlodar regions are yet to carry out dredging works on water bodies. There are unresolved issues with provision of sufficient fuel in Abai, Ulytau and Kostanay regions. Establishment of an emergency response center to prevent and fight fires wasn’t in due time in Kostanay region.
Underperformance on work to create fire mineralized strips is observed in Akmola, Atyrau, North Kazakhstan and Ulytau regions despite a peak wildfire season… Works are yet to be carried out to clean the areas of dry vegetation and litter in villages of Aktobe, Atyrau and North Kazakhstan regions, stated the Kazakh Prime Minister.
It was noted that there are 252 voluntary fire-fighting groups, which received a status of legal entities last year, across the country. Since the beginning of the year, they have put out 245 steppe fires. Prime Minister Bektenov pointed to the need for their proper equipment with fire fighting means.
The emergency situations ministry together with local authorities need to step up outreach work among the population to make sure fire safety rules are observed, including via SMS messages. The culture and information as well as digital development ministries need to join here, said Bektenov.
According to him, the ecology and natural resources ministry jointly with local authorities should increase the frequency for patrols in forests at times of high fire risk, and the interior ministry to intensify measures to prevent people from staying in forests during periods of extreme fire danger.
