Karaganda residents report thick smoke as firefighters battle 7-hectare grass fire

September 10, 2026 at 04:07 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A large grass and shrub fire in Karaganda's Alikhan Bokeikhan district has blanketed the city in thick smoke, prompting widespread complaints from residents about acrid air. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has spread across an estimated seven hectares. A separate fire in the Karkaraly district is also being fought with helicopter support.

Key Facts

The fire in the Alikhan Bokeikhan district has burned an estimated seven hectares of dry grass and shrubs.
29 firefighters and six units of equipment from the Karaganda Region Emergency Department are involved in extinguishing the blaze.
A separate fire near the village of Besoba in the Karkaraly district is being fought with a Kazaviaspas helicopter that has already made two water drops.
Residents across Karaganda, including the Maykuduk area, have posted videos and photos of smoke-covered streets and reported difficulty breathing.
The regional emergency department has set up an operational headquarters to coordinate firefighting efforts.

The Karaganda Fire

The fire broke out in the Alikhan Bokeikhan district on the Sakhalin section of the Vostok microdistrict. Dry shrubs and grass are burning across an estimated seven hectares. The Karaganda Region Emergency Department has deployed 29 personnel and six units of equipment to the scene. Local executive bodies have additionally sent six people and two units of equipment. Firefighters are currently working to localize and fully extinguish the fire.

Smoke Over the City

Residents across Karaganda have reported thick smoke and a strong smell of burning in the air. Social media users have posted videos and photos showing grey haze covering streets and residential areas. The regional akimat explained that the smell of smoke may spread across the city depending on wind direction. Officials have urged residents to remain calm and follow fire safety measures. Smoke was also visible in the city center and from the Maykuduk district.

Second Fire in Karkaraly District

A separate dry grass fire is burning near the village of Besoba in the Karkaraly district. The fire has spread across open terrain and difficult-to-access mountainous areas. Strong winds and rugged terrain are complicating firefighting efforts. A Kazaviaspas helicopter with a water-dropping device has been deployed and has already made two water drops. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent additional forces to the area.