Lena Pillars, a World Heritage Site, hit by the rampant flames, as calls grow for greater efforts to tackle infernos.

230 wildfires rage in Russia’s coldest republic of Yakutia, with state of emergency declared in Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk regions.

Retiree went out fishing but got lost on his way home in first whiteout of autumn.

Masked assailant believed to be 9th grade student wielded axe in class ‘cutting off boy’s finger and wounding girl’.

Patrol was checking for people stranded on Lake Kenon in suburbs of Chita - and found the marooned animal.

Accident involving drilling works sparks massive blaze but thankfully no injuries.

As one area continues to fight blaze, communities in tragedy-hit Khakassia show that human spirit and togetherness can prevail.

'Scary' scenes as fumes from burning forests cover Lake Baikal, with people - and bears - fleeing 'Apocalypse'.

Ideas are clearly needed for more effective ways of countering the annual wildfire scourge, as the trend remains towards drier and hotter summers.