Wildfires Ravage Russia

Wildfires that have killed at least 40 people continue to rage through central and southern Russia.

Russia declared a state of emergency in seven provinces from blazes stoked by Russia’s worst drought in 130 years.

In dramatic video obtained by Reuters, four volunteers for the fire department pass through a burning village.

They were told the road was safe, but within half-an-hour they found themselves in the middle of a firestorm.

The ordeal lasted for about 5 minutes before they found a way out, lucky to escape with their lives.

Almost 2,000 people are involved in extinguishing fires in the hard-hit Ryazan region alone.

In the autonomous Maryi-El republic south-east of Moscow, some 15,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed, blanketing the whole republic with smog.

Foto: NTDTV