Wildfires in Russia Destroy Villages, Bases, and Possibly Weapons Depots

In the midst of a record heat wave, which has caused the deaths of approximately 700 people per day, and droughts causing a food crisis, Russia is battling a series of wildfires which have decimated entire villages and communities.  Though initial reports have denied that any military bases were in danger, the latest news is that at least one large base was destroyed, along with several aircraft and equipment at the base.

The fires have also threatened a number of nuclear facilities and research centers which are closed to foreigners and can only be accessed by special permits. Though officials are saying that the fires are now under control and the facilities are no longer in danger, unconfirmed and unofficial reports are that facilities that housed nuclear weapons, and possibly chemical and biological weapons have already been destroyed and radiation levels around Moscow are on the rise.

Officially, even though the facilities have been destroyed they are saying all nuclear materials and weapons were removed from the supply depot. Also, Russian official s are telling everyone to leave Moscow if they can due to increased risk of carbon monoxide and other pollutants.  One official, Onishchenko, is telling people "Those who can should take a break from work or away on vacation." Tens of thousands have left the city, including many high ranking Russian state officials.

Reports in Moscow of embassy closings are making headlines including a travel warning issued by the United States Department of State citing “hazardous air quality.” Local businesses have been hit hard since many employees are fleeing the city and JP Morgan Chase & Alfa Bank, Russia’s biggest private lender, canceled daily research reports as many of their workers have fled or opted to stay home.  Some 104,000 people left the city just yesterday alone.

The fire is likely to continue to burn for several months in some areas where peat bogs caught fire and can smolder for long periods until heavy rains return to the region. Villagers in some of these areas are complaining that they had to battle the fires themselves without help or fire trucks and outrage is growing where entire villages once considered a paradise have been completely burnt to the ground.

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Plane Crashes Into Office Complex in Austin, Texas

A plane crashed into an office complex that housed FBI and IRS offices. An FBI spokesperson has stated that their office was not hit.

The incident is believed to be intentional and the pilot may have set his own home on fire before heading to the airport and taking off in the plane.

The building is seven stories and completely engulfed in flames, power was shut down in the area for safety reasons.

Unknown number of injuries at this time.

Local News Coverage below from KXAN

Evacuation of The Getty Museum Well Done, Highlights Need For Proper Planning

On Wednesday afternoon, July 8, 2009 a fire in the hills of Santa Monica forced the evacuation of approximately 800 employees and 1,600 visitors of the Getty Museum.

The fire also prompted fire officials to evacuate nearby Saint Mary's College even though the fire was about a mile away at the time.The school at the time was not holding regular sessions but was hosting a conference with about 100 staff and 200 visitors.

Though no one appears to have been injured and everyone appears to have been evacuated safely, it is events like this which highlight the need for contingency planning.

The staff did everything right, including taking steps to protect the art work inside, providing a way to evacuate visitors quickly, and utilized an alternate route off the mountain and away from the museum.

With a situation like this, so much could have gone wrong very quickly, but with proper planning and training they were able to successfully get everyone out alive and well.

If there was a fire in your work place, or a wildfire threatening your business would you be able to do the same?