OSCE mission says the fires in the border line affected the region's ecosystem

"Azerbaijani representatives stated many times that their equipment and technical devices meet modern standards and can be used in firefighting. They said that the only obstacle to the work in the regions near the contact line is mined areas, unexploded military equipment and fire from the opposite side. The group visited firefighting departments in Nagorno Karabakh. They found out that firefighting services are equipped with out-of-date equipment used for 20-25 years. At the same time Nagorno Karabakh's relief prevents taking efficient measures against fires. There is lack of equipment to extinguish fire manually in the places where cars can not reach. There is also shortage of water, it is connected with lack of irrigation system, artesian wells, and lack of agreement and mutual activity between the two sides of the contact line to use all water resources," says the report drawn up by OSCE mission which monitored the fire-hit places, Bernard Snoy, Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities told the APA.

According to the report, the fires caused damage of greenery and economic losses. Economic losses in Nagorno Karabakh are estimated to amount to 3.5 million Armenian drams ($9m).

"The head of Tartar region executive power said 10,548 families suffered from the fires. Azerbaijani press writes that the damage is estimated to amount to AZN7.5m ($8.6m). Economic losses to be caused by the degradation of ecosystem have not been estimated yet. Some local residents say that smoke started as a result of fire were dangerous for the health of sick people. The head of Agjabadi executive power said that smoke had a negative influence on the people suffering from asthma and cardiovascular diseases as well as the elderly. There are bullet holes on fire engines in Nagorno Karabakh and Tartar. Heads of Tartar and Agjabadi executive powers said that the number of people bitten by snakes increased. About 48 appealed to hospitals. It is connected with migration of snakes and rodents from the fire-hit places. The discussion over the influence of fires on environment underlined several times that fires influence atmosphere and cause climate change."