Ukrainian capital choked with wildfire smoke

About 1,000 firefighters backed by aircraft have been deployed to battle the forest blazes near the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, which took place in 1986. Wildfires erupted in the forests around Chernobyl on April 4, accidentally sparked by residents who were burning trash.

Kyiv: Smoke from wildfires in the contaminated evacuation zone around the wrecked Chernobyl nuclear power plant has engulfed Kyiv, placing the Ukrainian capital near the top of the global air pollution index.

Authorities reported on Friday that radiation levels in Kyiv have remained normal, but advised residents to stay home and close their windows.

About 1,000 firefighters backed by aircraft have been deployed to battle the forest blazes near the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, which took place in 1986.

Wildfires erupted in the forests around Chernobyl on April 4, accidentally sparked by residents who were burning trash.

While firefighter teams managed to contain the initial blazes, new fires erupted on Thursday, which swept into wider areas thanks to strong winds.

The fires are in the 2,600-square-kilometre Chernobyl Exclusion Zone that was established after the disaster at the plant that sent a cloud of radioactive fallout over much of Europe.

The zone is largely unpopulated, although about 200 people have remained despite orders to leave.

Fires in the area raise concerns that they could spread radioactive material.

(With inputs from AP)