Wildfire Spreads in Ukraine’s Chornobyl Exclusion Zone as Russian Land Mines Block Crews

Firefighters are battling a massive wildfire in Ukraine’s Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where the fire has spread to more than 1,100 hectares fueled by dry weather and strong winds.

“While battling a large forest fire in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukrainian firefighters discovered a baby moose and launched a special rescue operation”

CNN

The blaze has forced parts of the area to remain inaccessible because of land mines left by Russian forces after the 2022 invasion.

CNN

Scripps News said the wildfire is being fought under conditions made harder by gusty winds, and it reported that Denis Nesterov, director of the Chornobyl Nature Reserve, said localization and fire control work continues without interruption.

Nesterov said the “elimination of the emergency situation” involves 331 personnel and 75 pieces of equipment, while Scripps News reported that about 1,000 square miles of the region remain off-limits to most people.

Scripps News also reported that the area was the site of a major wildfire in 2020 that destroyed numerous historic attractions.

While battling the fire, Ukrainian firefighters discovered a baby moose and launched a special rescue operation in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

The Ukrainian National News (УНН) report said a Red Data Book moose calf that lost its mother was rescued from the scorched earth of the Chernobyl forest and handed over to ecologists by rescuers.

Scripps News

УНН quoted the State Emergency Service of Ukraine describing the rescue as a “real special rescue operation,” adding that the animal was given water and, after consulting forestry representatives, zoologists, and veterinarians, was handed over to specialists.

CNN similarly reported that firefighters discovered the baby moose during the large forest fire and launched the special rescue operation.

УНН said the little moose calf “has been handed over to ecologists,” and that the animal is safe and will receive everything necessary to live under the supervision of specialists.

Scripps News reported that Russia briefly took control of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone area in 2022, but Ukrainian forces pushed the Russians back.

“May 8, 2026 at 10:48 AM• 2282 переглядiв A Red Data Book moose calf that lost its mother was rescued from the burning Chernobyl forest and handed over to ecologists by rescuers, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on Friday,UNNwrites”

Українські Національні Новини (УНН)

It also said about 1,000 square miles of the region remain off-limits to most people, except workers and a small number of permanent residents.

In parallel with the wildfire response, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said “Liquidation of the fire in the Kyiv region continues,” with rescuers working in an intensified mode to localize centers of ignition and prevent further spread.

УНН reported that radiation levels are normal amid the large-scale fire in the Chernobyl zone, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated 08.05.26, 11:20.

Scripps News said firefighting efforts are complicated by danger from explosive objects, and it quoted Nesterov saying “localization and fire control work continues without interruption.”