CHISINAU, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire broke out Monday afternoon in Cahul, which is located in southern Moldova, according to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU).
The IGSU said in a press release that firefighters were dispatched to combat a forest fire in Cahul, which has already ravaged approximately six hectares of forest out of a total affected area of ten hectares.
According to the IGSU, the alarm was raised at 14:52 local time, indicating that the fire had spread through forested areas and dry grass on the outskirts of Cahul municipality.
The IGSU continue to work on-site to control the blaze. The cause of the fire and the concrete circumstances are under investigation.
Nicolae Dandis, mayor of Cahul, appealed to locals to assist in extinguishing the fire.
The IGSU has urged the public to exercise caution and adhere to fire prevention measures, particularly during hot weather, to prevent similar outbreaks.
The Moldovan State Hydrometeorological Service issued a yellow fire danger advisory on July 8, valid until July 15. On Monday it was extended, this time with an exceptional fire risk (class V) forecast from July 16-22.
