Members of Russian Olympic surfing team suffered major loss of eyesight after training at the peninsula.
Found in Kamchatka's Valley of the Geysers, it promises a scientific breakthrough, say experts.
Greenpeace claim authorities underestimate the scale of destruction, amid warnings of lack of resources to fight fires.
Journalist Kate Baklitskaya today begins an epic 3 month tour of some of Siberia's most iconic places.