Devastating forest fires still burning in Siberia

Forest fires continued to burn out of control in Sakha Republic in the Russian Arctic on Thursday, as firefighters battled the blaze. Strong winds are helping spread the flames and the number of wildfires has been increased in the past 24 hours. More than 2,000 hectares of forest were alight, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The fires have already destroyed over a million hectares of forest.

Thick smoke has reached Yakutsk, Sakha Republic's capital which is located 400 kilometres (248.5 miles) away from the epicenter of the wildfires.

More than 800 firefighters and forest rangers from neighbouring regions are battling the fires and reinforcements are being flown in.

Ambulances are working overtime trying to cope with the surge of respiratory cases.

A state of emergency has been declared, according to the government of the Republic of Sakha.

The biggest challenge is in the northern end of the republic, in the areas of Hangalass, Gorny and Tomponsky.

Russia's Tass news agency reported there has been an unprecedented number of forest fires in Russia.