Moscow:
Wildfires are threatening to stir radioactive particles left over from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster back into the air over western Russia, and authorities have boosted forest patrols to keep the flames from contaminated areas.
Environmentalists and forest experts warned on Wednesday that the radioactive dust could be harmful, even though doses would likely be small.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said at least six wildfires were spotted and extinguished this week in the Bryansk region, the part of Russia that suffered the most when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's reactor No. 4 exploded during a pre-dawn test on April 26, 1986, spewing radioactive clouds over much of western Soviet Union and northern Europe.
The ministry also had reported sporadic wildfires last week, but said all were put out.