Firefighters put out 50 fires across Russia

MOSCOW, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Firefighters had quelled 50 forest fires across Russia in the past 24 hours, the Federal Forestry Agency said Sunday.

"As of the morning of Sept. 25, 2011, 40 wildfires were registered in Russia. The area affected by forest fires has increased by 1,713 hectares in the past 24 hours," the agency said.

The area most affected is the Siberian District, which has 36 wildfires blazing, RIA Novosti reported.

Wildfires in Russia's forested regions are common during the summer season. Most fires are started by local residents behaving carelessly in the woods.