Fire in the Exclusion Zone: Specialists Assessed Radiation Levels
As a result of a large-scale forest fire in the Exclusion Zone, an increase in cesium concentration has been recorded near the fire foci. However, experts reassure: there is no immediate threat to the population.
In the north of Kyiv Oblast, a large forest fire has covered more than 1100 hectares of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone territory. Due to high temperatures and the burning of contaminated wood, radionuclides have been released into the air.
According to data from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, the situation is under constant monitoring.
In air samples taken on May 8 at a distance of 30-150 meters from the burning foci, the content of cesium-137 reached 680 µBq/m³ (or 0.00068 Bq/m³).
These indicators are higher than the usual control levels for the Exclusion Zone, but they remain significantly below the maximum permissible radiation safety standards of Ukraine.
Specialists from the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety conducted modeling of air mass distribution.
“The equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation at the current moment is within the long-term observations in the Exclusion Zone and within background fluctuations throughout the rest of the country,” states the official message from the department.
Experts warn that due to high temperatures, combustion products rise into the upper layers of the atmosphere and can be carried over long distances. In places where they fall with rain or dust, a short-term increase in background radiation is possible, but this does not pose a critical threat.
As of May 9, the fire in the Chernobyl zone on the Ukrainian side had not completely died down, although its intensity had significantly decreased.
Residents of Khoiniki, Bragin, and Loev districts were at greatest risk on May 7 and 8. On those days, numerous mass events in honor of Victory Day were held among children and adults, the smell of burning was felt in the air, and haze was visible.
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