Since the beginning of the year, Mongolia has recorded 48 forest and steppe fires, affecting vast areas of land and placing increasing pressure on emergency response services. As of April 12, the fires have been reported across two districts of the capital city and 32 soums in eight provinces, highlighting the widespread nature of the risk during the spring season.

According to preliminary estimates, approximately 229,006 hectares of land have been impacted by the fires. Of this, 704 hectares consist of forested areas, while a significantly larger portion, 228,302 hectares, covers steppe land. The scale of the damage underscores the vulnerability of Mongolia’s grasslands during dry and windy conditions, which are common in early spring and contribute to the rapid spread of wildfires.

Emergency measures have also included the evacuation of residents and livestock from affected areas. Authorities report that eight individuals from three households, along with around 2,000 head of livestock, were safely relocated to secure locations to prevent further risk to life and property.

Firefighting and containment efforts have required a coordinated, large-scale response. Over 1,650 personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), border protection forces, the police, and local authorities have been mobilized. These teams have operated with the support of 264 vehicles, working under challenging conditions to bring the fires under control and prevent further spread.

In addition to wildfire incidents, NEMA reported that 143 emergency calls related to hazardous events and accidents were registered nationwide over the past week alone. Of these, 106 were linked to structural or object-related fires, while 23 involved forest and steppe fires. Emergency responders acted promptly on these calls, successfully rescuing seven individuals and providing necessary assistance and services to those affected.

Officials continue to urge the public to exercise caution, particularly during the high-risk spring period, as human activity remains a leading cause of wildfires. Strengthening prevention efforts and public awareness is seen as essential to reducing the frequency and impact of such disasters in the future.