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“The Russian countryside is burning. The fields and forests a tinderbox after weeks of scorching sun.” (BBC)

A record-breaking heat wave in Russia has ignited fires across the country causing dangerously high levels of smog to blanket Moscow.

We’re analyzing the heat wave and its affect on Muscovites from BBC, Russia Today, The Moscow News, RIA Novosti and Al Jazeera

This summer is the hottest ever recorded in Russia and meteorologists say even warmer temperatures may be on the horizon.

“This is a serious abnormality. The Russian weather service has never measured such temperature in Moscow in July."  (Russia Today)

The extreme temperatures have ignited the peat bogs surrounding Moscow and increased the city’s smog levels to 10 times the safe level, raising health concerns for Moscow’s 10 million residents.

“Apparently the air is already so polluted, there’s such a high concentration of carbon monoxide, that if I just stand here for a few hours and breath it in, it’s the equivalent of smoking 40 cigarettes.” (BBC)

Health officials have urged Muscovites the to stay inside but many cannot escape the smog or the heat. A street vendor told The Moscow News…

“We work here all day long from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m., breathing this in. I nearly fainted today — twice.”

Another Muscovite said,

“There is an odor of burning plastic at night and during the day.”

The heat is also causing some unforeseen repercussions at Russian swimming holes. More than 1,000 people have drowned due to alcohol intoxication while swimming, as Muscovites flock to water hoping to find relief from the weather. An Al Jazeera reporter found that most beach goers are ignoring warnings not to mix alcohol and swimming.

“We keep cool by staying in the shade, swimming regularly, and of course drinking chilled beer."

"The best recipe for the heat is half a liter of beer mixed with 50 milliliters of vodka. Drink it slowly and then go for a swim.”

RIA Novosti reports… there is an end in sight.

“Meteorologists have suggested that the temperature could fall by as much as 10 degrees Celsius at the weekend. Rain is also expected to clear away much of the heavy smog that has hung over the city since the start of the week.”

 

WRITER: Madison Mack

PRODUCER: Newsy Staff