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From the State Department
Travel Advisory

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1162.html

Russian Federation
August 06, 2010

“The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Russian Federation due to fires in Russia and their impact on safety, air quality, and transportation. This Travel Alert expires on September 5, 2010.

Forest fires and extreme high temperatures in the Moscow region and surrounding areas of central Russia have produced hazardous levels of air pollution and caused numerous flight delays and cancellations in Moscow.

Persons contemplating travel to Moscow and surrounding areas should carefully consider their plans in light of these developments. The hazardous air quality means that persons with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

The situation has prompted the Russian government to declare a state of emergency in Moscow, Vladimir, Ryazan, Voronezh, Novgorod, the Republic of Mordovia, and the Republic of Marii-El.

Fire related conditions can change quickly, due to changes in wind direction and weather conditions. Persons planning travel to the Moscow area should monitor weather conditions and stay in touch with their airline.

We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website.”

That was just an advisory. Here is the definition of a warning:

“Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.”

The Russian Federation is not on that list. The embassies did can cancel appointments for 08/09/10, however.

The full health impact of the heatwave nationwide has not been reported...

Moscow’s health chief has confirmed the mortality rate has doubled as a heatwave and wildfire smog continue to grip the Russian capital.

There were twice the usual number of bodies in the city’s morgues, Andrei Seltsovsky told reporters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10912658
Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared around a nuclear reprocessing plant in the southern Urals because of nearby wildfires.

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