20 July 2026, two forest fires were recorded in blocks 55 and 65 of the Suburban Forestry of the Semey branch of the state forest nature reserve "Semey Ormany". According to preliminary data, the area of each fire is approximately 2 hectares, and the cause of the fire could have been a lightning strike.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, as of 20 July 2026, 19 forest fires have been recorded in the country on the lands of the state forest nature reserves "Semey Ormany", "Yertis Ormany" and the state national nature park "Bayanauyl".
New fires were recorded on 20 July at 14:22 in blocks 55 and 65 of the Suburban Forestry of the Semey branch of the reserve "Semey Ormany".
HOW THE FIREFIGHTING IS PROGRESSING
After the report was received, measures to eliminate the fires began immediately. Necessary steps are currently being taken to contain and completely extinguish the fires.
Firefighting efforts involve 1 helicopter from RGE "Kazavialesookhrana", 6 fire trucks, 3 tractors, 20 forest protection workers from the "Semey Ormany" reserve, as well as 6 units of equipment and 17 employees from units of the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES). Additionally, a Mi-8 helicopter from RGE "Kazavialesookhrana" has been dispatched to the fire site.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE FIRES
According to preliminary data, each fire covers approximately 2 hectares. The fires were recorded in a pine forest. The nature of the fires is ground-level, of high intensity.
The preliminary cause of the fires is believed to be a lightning strike.
Necessary forces and resources have been deployed to prevent further spread of the flames. It is noted that the situation is being constantly monitored by the Ministry of Ecology.
CONTEXT
On 16 July, a forest fire broke out in the territory of "Semey Ormany" in the Borodulikha district of the Abay region. Forces from the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES), the forestry department, the police, and aircraft from several agencies were involved in the firefighting, and 190 children and 20 workers were evacuated from the nearby children's camp "DosbolLike".
On 18 July, the fire was contained. Work is currently ongoing to completely extinguish individual smouldering pockets and to soak the area.
Earlier, the editorial team of FBRK identified a discrepancy in the assessment of the fire area. It turned out to be significantly larger than the preliminary estimate. According to data from the NASA FIRMS fire monitoring system, the fire had covered approximately 1,676 hectares, whereas previously 370 hectares had been reported.
