According to the National Agency Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring’s report released on April 28, most parts of the country are currently experiencing very high to extreme levels of dryness, significantly increasing the risk of wildfires. Within the capital city, conditions have been assessed at a moderate level of dryness, indicating relatively lower risk compared to other regions, yet still requiring caution.
However, the situation is considerably more severe across large areas of the countryside. Extremely high dryness levels have been recorded throughout the entirety of Dundgovi, Govi-Altai, Govisumber, Khovd, Sukhbaatar, and Umnugovi provinces. In addition, most parts of Arkhangai, Khuvsgul, Uvs, Uvurkhangai, and Zavkhan provinces are also facing critical conditions. Northern Bayan-Ulgii Province, western Bulgan Province, the southwestern parts of Tuv Province, as well as southern Dornogovi and Dornod provinces, are similarly experiencing extreme dryness.
Meanwhile, high levels of dryness have been reported in southern Bayan-Ulgii, parts of Uvs, eastern Bulgan, Bayankhongor, Zavkhan, and Khuvsgul provinces, along with northern Khentii, Selenge, and western Tuv province, as well as certain areas of Dornod Province. In contrast, regions such as Erdenet and Darkhan, along with eastern Selenge, eastern Tuv, northern Dornod, Khentii, and some parts of Dornogovi, are currently experiencing moderate dryness levels.
Nationwide, as of April 28, 72 wildfire accidents have been recorded across two districts of the capital city and 41 soums spanning 10 provinces. Alarmingly, within just the past week, 10 forest and steppe fires have broken out in Uvs, Dornod, Zavkhan, Khuvsgul, and Khentii provinces, highlighting the growing severity of the situation.
Emergency response teams have managed to prevent significant losses by protecting 49 traditional gers, 25 winter shelters and fenced properties, and eight vehicles from being destroyed by fire. Additionally, eight individuals from three households and approximately 3,760 livestock were safely evacuated from high-risk areas. Despite these efforts, preliminary estimates indicate that 528,222 hectares of land have already been affected by fires.
Given that dryness levels remain critically high across most of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to exercise heightened vigilance. Citizens are strongly advised to fully extinguish any fires, including campfires, matches, cigarette butts, and ash. It is strictly recommended to avoid lighting open fires in forest and steppe areas, and to ensure that all vehicles are equipped with proper exhaust systems and spark arresters to prevent accidental ignition. Authorities emphasize that individual responsibility and preventive action are crucial in mitigating further wildfire outbreaks during this period of extreme environmental vulnerability.
