On April 28, speaking at a briefing at Tatarstan Government House, Tatarstan Chief State Inspector on Fire Supervision Sergey Sergeev reported that during the fire season 80 dry grass fires have been registered in Tatarstan, which is six times less as compared to the same period last year.

He went on to say that during the May holidays, employees of the Head Office of Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in Tatarstan will hold the Dacha operation at recreation areas and horticultural societies.

"Many people plan outdoor recreation during May holidays. Together with the police and members of forestry patrols, we will carry out a patrol in places of mass recreation," he said. During the Dacha operation, State Fire Control employees will also conduct preventive talks with growers, as well as check their gardens.

Sergeev reminded that a special fire-fighting regime is on until May 15, during which dry grass and debris burning is prohibited. Fines for violation of fire safety requirements are doubled. Thus, a fine amounted from 2,000 to 4,000 roubles for citizens, from 15,000 to 30,000 roubles for officials and from 400,000 to 500,000 roubles for legal entities. "Depending on the current situation and weather conditions special regime may be extended," Sergeev emphasized.

He also reported that as many as nine citizens were brought to administrative responsibility in April this year for burning dry grass, stubble, dead wood and debris.