Wildfires ablaze early in year due to lack of snow, posing threat to railway in Russian Far East.
At least three are dangerously close to population centres in Irkutsk region.
Destruction of trees by flames could see Batagai Depression ‘rapidly enlarge’ while remote local settlements also threatened.
Dramatic video shows the bird staying put in clouds of caustic smoke.
Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk suffering smoke pollution and infernos rage in forests after hot, dry weather.
Kitten is one of the world’s rarest big cats, with only 91 known adults surviving in the wild.
Most fires will not be extinguished, with major cities polluted by fumes.
Almost 3 million hectares on fire, including Arctic, with fumes having hit area larger than European Union.
Predators seek food in villages all around Siberia as climate expert warns of worse fires each year due to soaring rise in temperatures, 10C above average.
Lena River fleet cannot sail after abnormal heat causes 2.5 metre water level drop.