A criminal case has been opened following a natural fire in the Almaty region, reports the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

“On April 19, in the Balkhash district of the Almaty region, reed vegetation caught fire with the fire spreading to forest lands on an area of 31 hectares. Based on this fact, the internal affairs bodies opened a criminal case under Article 341 of the Criminal Code “Destruction or damage to forests.” The sanction of this article provides for imprisonment for a term of up to eight years with confiscation of property,” the statement said on Wednesday.

It is noted that helicopters carried out 129 water releases with a total volume of more than 387 tons to extinguish the fire.

“The fire has now been localized,” the Ministry of Emergency Situations added.

Photo source: Press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.