Russia to assess Siberia fires

TOMSK, Russia, July 28 (UPI) -- Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov arrived in Siberia Saturday to assess forest fires affecting the Tomsk region, officials said.

Puchkov flew into the Kemerovo airport and will travel to Tomsk on the ground, ITAR-Tass reported.

In Tomsk, Puchkov will assess the situation and take control of the firefighting efforts.

So far nearly 58 square miles of forest have been consumed by the flames and Tomsk is covered in smoke.