Firefighting continues in the forest park zone of Khanskaya Grove in the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR). Two helicopters have been deployed from the air to extinguish the blaze, and forestry units and emergency services have been mobilised for the work.
HOW THE FIREFIGHTING IS PROGRESSING
Information about the fire was received on 27 July at 13:35. The Uralsk Municipal State Institution for the Protection of Forests and Wildlife began tackling the blaze. According to preliminary data, the fire was caused by the collapse of a power line support, followed by a short circuit.
Forestry staff, units of the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) of the WKR, forces from the Koshim Forestry Division, and aircraft arriving from Atyrau and the village of Chapaev in Akzhaik District are involved in extinguishing the fire.
WHAT AREA IS AFFECTED BY FIRE
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation of the WKR, the fire has spread to maple and ash trees over an area of approximately 15 hectares.
Helicopters from Kazaviaspas JSC of the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES) and the Republican State Government Enterprise 'Kazavialesookhrana' of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources were also brought in to extinguish the fire. As of 01:00 on 28 July, approximately 80 people, 10 units of ground equipment, and 2 helicopters were involved in the operations, carrying out 46 water drops with a total volume of 68 tonnes.
HOW THE FIRE AFFECTED THE CITY
According to eyewitness reports, thick smoke spread to the central part of Uralsk, the Zachagansk settlement, and surrounding areas. Residents also reported ashfall.
According to the Akimat of Uralsk, amid hot weather and strong winds, power outages occurred periodically in some areas of the city. Approximately 800 subscribers were left without electricity; restoration work is ongoing.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH FOREST FIRES IN KAZAKHSTAN
According to information from the authorised bodies, on 27 July 2026, 5 forest fires were recorded on the territory of the state forest fund of Kazakhstan: 2 in Akmola Region, 1 in the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR), and 2 in the WKR.
It is reported that fires in Akmola Region and the EKR have been contained and fully extinguished. In the WKR, efforts to contain and fully extinguish the forest fires continue.
CONTEXT
On 16 July, a forest fire broke out on the territory of 'Semey Ormany' in the Borodulikha District of the Abay Region. Forces from the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES), forestry, police, and aircraft from several agencies were involved in extinguishing it, and 190 children and 20 staff were evacuated from the nearby children's camp 'DosbolLike'.
On 18 July, the fire was contained. Work to fully extinguish individual smouldering pockets and water the area is ongoing.
Earlier, the FBRK editorial team 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 covered approximately 1,676 hectares, whereas earlier reports mentioned 370 hectares.