Omsk region emergency services said number of wildfires is seven to ten times above the ‘norm’.
Roads blocked, planes diverted due to low visibility, schools shut, people advised to stay home.
Elsewhere in Russia’s coldest region desperate authorities spike clouds to induce rain and tame wildfires.
Local photographer captures pillars of smoke rising above the underground peat fire.
Confused plants bloom in Sayano-Shushenskiy reserve in Central Siberia, strawberry ripen in the Far East of Russia.
Lena Pillars, a World Heritage Site, hit by the rampant flames, as calls grow for greater efforts to tackle infernos.