Schools closed as forest fire smoke swathes Kiev
KIEV: Kiev authorities on Thursday closed schools in the city after smoke from nearby forest fires swathed the heat-stricken Ukrainian capital.
“Given the spread of smoke from the forest fires in a 30-kilometre radius from Kiev and the heat, it has been recommended that schools be closed,” city hall said in a statement.
The school day was to be shortened on Thursday, and all educational institutions were to be closed on Friday, the statement said. Authorities have urged residents to keep their windows closed, avoid using their cars and limit time spent outdoors.
Forest fires have raged through 24 hectares of forest northwest of Kiev in the past three days. A fresh blaze broke out on Wednesday, engulfing 15 hectares of forest southwest of the capital.
Temperatures in Kiev have beaten century-long records this month, reaching nearly 36 degrees Celsius (nearly 97 degrees Fahrenheit) in the first two days of September.
Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2015
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