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Fires Near Chernobyl Increase Radiation Level

VOA News

   Twoforestfiresnearthenow defunctChernobyl nuclearplant in Ukraine have
   boostedthe radiation levelin the area.

   Ukrainian firefightersworkedinto Sunday nightto put the fires under
   control.

   Emergency services said oneof the firesthatspread to an area of about
   five hectares was contained. The other fire was covering a much larger
   area, of about 20 hectares.

   Fire officialssaid radiation levelsin the area
   nearChernobylwereconsiderablyhigher than normal.

   The emergencies service, however,said radiation levels in
   theUkrainiancapital,Kyiv, about 100 kilometers south, were within
   normal range.

   The fires were within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone established after
   the 1986explosion at the plant, an area of 2600 square kilometers which
   was largely evacuatedbecause of radioactive contamination.

   Since thanabout200people have remainedin the area, disregardingorders
   to leave.

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