ALMATY, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire broke out in the Semey Ormany State Forest Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan's eastern Abai Region, the country's Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Thursday.
More than 200 personnel, supported by aircraft, are battling the blaze in the Borodulikha District of the reserve, with firefighting efforts underway under the coordination of the ministry, the ministry said.
Covering more than 650,000 hectares, the nature reserve was established in 2003 to protect and restore the unique ribbon pine forests of the Irtysh region. ■
