Yamal choked by smoke from record wildfires

Yamal is choking on smoke as it is covered by thick smog due to large-scale forest fires.

Consensus

The Yamal Peninsula is experiencing severe smoke from forest fires.
Smoke has caused near-zero visibility in cities including Salekhard, Tarco-Sale, and Novy Urengoy.
Flights from Moscow and Ufa have been redirected to alternate airports.
Residents are reporting health issues such as headaches and difficulty breathing.
The fire season began earlier than usual, with fires starting on June 23.
Over 800 natural fires have been recorded since the start of the season.
More than 300,000 hectares have been affected by fires.
A state of emergency was declared on the Yamal Peninsula.
Firefighting efforts involve hundreds of personnel and helicopters.
The main cause is attributed to extreme drought, with only 5% of normal rainfall this summer.

Over 800 natural fires and more than 500,000 hectares burned. — tg_radiosvoboda
128 forest fires and 387,000 hectares burned as of August 25. — vedomosti
125 active fires and 349,000 hectares burned on August 25. — riamo
125 active fires and 349 thousand hectares burned on August 25. — tg_mash
23 active fires and 537 firefighters involved. — vedomosti
1257 people involved in firefighting. — riamo
1257 people involved in firefighting. — tg_mash
433 fires and 60,407 hectares burned since the start of the fire season. — vedomosti
851 natural fires since the start of the season. — riamo
851 natural fires since the start of the seasonal. — tg_mash
Some firefighters have resigned due to difficult conditions despite a monthly salary of around 200,000 rubles and overtime bonuses. — riamo
Some firefighters have resigned due to difficult conditions, though exact numbers are not disclosed. — tg_mash