YEREVAN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — A small fire that reportedly started in one of Armenia's oldest and biggest reserves — the Khosrov Forest two days ago has now turned into a dire emergency situation "covering hundreds of hectares," said a report of Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations Monday.
According to the ministry, around 63 rescuers, 124 soldiers, 1 helicopter and others are involved in firefighting works.
In an earlier report, the government had warned of a threat of fires due to abnormal levels of heat.
However, on Monday it became clear the South Caucasus country would not be able to battle the fire on its own as Minister of Emergency Situations David Tonoyan appealed to the Russian side for help in putting out the flames in the Khosrov Forest.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia, a Russian IL-76 aircraft, capable of dropping 42 tons of water in one go over fires raging on the ground, reached Armenia on Monday.