The Federal Forestry Agency will allocate 25.3 billion rubles for forest fire protection in 2026.
Rosleskhoz announced a significant increase in federal funding for forest fire protection measures. In 2026, regions will receive 25.3 billion rubles, a 28.4% increase over 2025. An additional 5.6 billion rubles will be allocated to servicing existing control zones and strengthening air units.
RESULTS OF THE 2025 FOREST FIRE SEASON
Fire area halved
Since the beginning of the year, 6,800 forest fires have been registered in Russian forests covering an area of 4.3 million hectares. This is half the area and significantly lower in number than in the same period in 2024 (8,900 fires on 8.3 million hectares).
The situation was particularly difficult in the spring in the Zabaikalsky Krai and Buryatia – These two regions accounted for 3.7 million hectares—86% of the area burned. The main causes were dry thunderstorms, an abnormally early and warm spring, and high wind loads. A significant portion of the fires were located in hard-to-reach areas, and extinguishing was carried out primarily by aircraft.
High extinguishing efficiency
- Almost 73% of all forest fires in the country were extinguished within the first 24 hours of detection. In 42 regions, the efficiency reached 100%.
- 13 regions prevented fires from starting at all; In nine of them, the absence of fires has been recorded for the second year in a row.
Technology and Aviation
Modern methods of atmospheric influence were used to stabilize the situation:
- 98 events to artificially induce precipitation were carried out, and in 97% of cases, rain was achieved;
- Blasting operations made it possible to create 170 km of mineralized strips, which helped extinguish 13 large fires on an area of 225 thousand hectares.
Large-scale monitoring programs continued:
- 17 thousand ground routes - 1.3 million km;
- 500 air routes - 259,000 km;
- 56,000 patrol flight hours.
As part of the interregional maneuvers, 193 force transfers totaling over 4,000 personnel were carried out. 136 transfers were sent to the Zabaikalsky Krai alone, with over 3,000 specialists.
Causes of Fires
The main factors causing forest fires:
- actions of the local population — 40.2% (2,700 fires);
- thunderstorm activity — 35.7% (2,400 fires);
- fire spread from agricultural land — 11% (743 fires).
The spring period was once again the most intense: 2.8 thousand fires on an area of 3.8 million hectares.
Preparation for the 2026 forest fire season
Regions are instructed to:
- complete legal proceedings with those responsible for the fires by December 1, 2025, including the recovery of extinguishing costs;
- update ground and air patrol routes;
- expand the use of drones;
- ensure the inclusion of 100% of forest land tenants in consolidated extinguishing plans (in 2025, their share was 46%).
Increased funding will allow for the development of aviation infrastructure and an increase in the number of firefighters and strengthen regional reserves for rapid response.
