2023 Kazakhstan wildfires

In June 2023, large forest fires broke out in the northeastern regions of Kazakhstan experienced its greatest annual death toll. While putting out the fires, at least 15 people died.^[1][2][3]

2023 Kazakhstan wildfires
Location	Northeastern Kazakhstan
Statistics
Date(s)	June 2023
Burned area	60,000 hectares
Cause	Lightning, arson
Buildings destroyed	3
Deaths	15

Background

According to local officials, lightning ignited the fires. A total of 60,000 hectares of land were lost. Residents of several villages were evacuated^[4][5]

Response

On 10 June 2023, more than 1,000 emergency personnel battled an out-of-control fire. Yuri Ilyin, the Minister of Emergency Situations, was fired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier that day. The condolences of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and other leaders have been extended to Tokayev.^[4][6][7]

Aftermath

The day of national mourning, 12 June, was established by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in memory of the forest workers who perished while battling wildfires in Kazakhstan's eastern Abai Region.^[8] The investigation is yet to be concluded; former Minister of Emergency Situations Yuri Ilyin, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Zülfia Süleimenova, Äkim of Abai Region Nūrlan Ūranhaev and former Äkim of East Kazakhstan Region Daniyal Ahmetov are to be questioned regarding the wildfire^[9]

References

1. https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-mass-wildfire-deaths-provoke-anger-at-corruption
2. "Kazakhstan forest fires kill 14 with 60,000 hectares of land destroyed and government minister sacked". MSN. from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
3. tengrinews.kz (13 June 2023). "Абай облысында жоғалып кеткен орман шаруашылығы қызметкері өлі табылды". Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 16 June 2023.
4. "Kazakhstan forest fires kill 14 with 60,000 hectares of land destroyed". ABC News. 10 June 2023. from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
5. tengrinews.kz (12 June 2023). "Абай облысындағы ауыл тұрғындары эвакуация туралы айтты". Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 16 June 2023.
6. "Fourteen people killed in Kazakhstan forest fires". from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
7. "Әлиев, Рахмон, Жапаров: бірқатар мемлекет басшылары Тоқаевқа көңіл айту жеделхатын жолдады". kaz.nur.kz (in Kazakh). 12 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
8. "President of Kazakhstan Declares June 12 as National Day of Mourning for Forest Fires Victims in Abai Region". 12 June 2023.
9. tengrinews.kz (14 June 2023). "Абай облысындағы өртке байланысты Ильин, Сүлейменова және Ахметовтен жауап алынады - Бас прокуратура". Главные новости Казахстана - Tengrinews.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 16 June 2023.