Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reported that the situation with wildfires has stabilised somewhat, but generally remains tense. Officials informed Mr Putin that as of July 31, there were more than 22,000 wildfires on an area of 400 hectares, which affected 77 localities in 10 regions in the Central and Volga federal districts. Fires destroyed 1,257 homes and 2,885 people were evacuated from the emergency areas.

Mr Putin listened to victims' questions phoned in from their temporary accommodations and discussed the rules and amounts of payments in detail.

The Prime Minister thanked all those who had worked effectively and courageously to mitigate the effects of the disaster, and asked regional leaders to travel to those places hardest hit by the fire, make sure operations were running smoothly, gather all the details, and meet on Monday in Moscow to review the situation.

Transcript of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues. I would like to welcome all of you here in this hall and in the field. The situation with wildfires remains difficult. In some regions where yesterday, the night before last and yesterday morning we were faced with severe fires, the situation has stabilised somewhat, but in general it remains very tense. And you must be aware of the weather forecast: things are looking grim. Let us discuss how things stand at the moment. First, I would like to hear from Vladimir Stepanov, head of the National Centre for Crisis Management. Go ahead, please.

Vladimir Stepanov: As of 3 p.m., temperatures rose over 40 degrees with strong winds exceeding 20 m/sec in several constituent entities of the Central and Volga federal districts, which dramatically escalated the fire situation. As a result, on July 31 there were more than 22,000 wildfires on the territory of the Russian Federation covering an area of more than 400 hectares. As a result, 77 localities have been affected in 10 regions of the Central and Volga federal districts. Wildfires destroyed 1,257 homes and 2,885 people were evacuated from the emergency area.

Today, more than 200 localities are under threat from the spreading forest fires. The most difficult situation is developing in the Voronezh and Moscow regions in the Central Federal District, as well as in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Republic of Mordovia in the Volga Federal District.

As of July 29, in the Nizhny Novgorod Region the spread of wildfires to the towns destroyed over 575 homes and more than 1,500 people were evacuated. Overall in the Volga Federal District, 635 houses in 24 localities were destroyed, 1,282 people were left without shelter and more than 1,500 people were evacuated.

The situation in the Voronezh Region is equally difficult. The wildfires spread to the villages in the Verkhnemamonovsky and Levoberezhny districts near Voronezh, destroying 129 and 85 houses, respectively.

In the region, the fire damaged nine localities, in which 271 houses burned down and over a thousand people were evacuated.

So far, we have assembled the following task force to combat the fires: more than 240,000 personnel and 120,000 items of equipment, including more than 100 aircraft. Of these, the group from the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief is 180,000-strong with 800,000 items of equipment, including 25 aircraft. The Ministry of Defence has provided more than 1,700 people and 160 items of equipment and the Federal Agency for Forestry has sent more than 30,000 people.

The task force is growing larger as the situation deteriorates. For example, since July 26, the Emergencies Ministry group in the Central and Volga federal districts alone has been doubled. Nearly all Emergency Ministry aircraft are engaged in putting out fires in the most affected regions in Russia: the Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow, Voronezh and Ryazan regions, as well as the Republic of Mordovia.

As of July 31, the task force in these federal districts numbers more than 100,000 personnel and more than 50,000 pieces of equipment, including 20 aircraft. In view of the possible aggravation of the situation, reserve forces and additional resources totalling more than 30,000 and 15,000 items of equipment have been assembled.

An operational headquarters on the basis of the National Centre has been deployed in order to coordinate the joint efforts of federal executive bodies and the executive bodies of constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Mr Putin, a task force has been assembled and despite the discouraging weather forecast our proactive measures and extensive use of aviation have on the whole enabled us to keep the situation under control.

My report is finished. Thank you for your attention.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Let's listen to some regional leaders. Yesterday I visited Nizhny Novgorod, and the situation there is no less complicated than in the Ryazan and Voronezh regions.

I would like to hear what is happening in the Nizhny Novgorod Region first. And above all, my question concerns the organisation of cash payments. We agreed yesterday that the payments of 10,000 roubles per person would be made quickly. Also, please brief me on how the work on the opening of accounts was organised. Mr Shantsev, if you please.

Valery Shantsev: We worked all night together with Sberbank and processed 960 applications. We opened all the personal accounts and transferred 10 million roubles out of our regional budget though our benefits accounts. We have already begun to disburse the funds, and to date about 90 people have received their money. Some people don't want to claim it yet, and believe that the money is already in their accounts. Ten percent of these people did not have documents, so jointly with internal affairs agencies we took ID photos on the spot and handed out the 2P forms, which will enable these people to receive additional payments. The following week, on Tuesday, in line with the orders received and our own decision, we will convene an extraordinary legislature. We will adjust the budget and next week we will pay our 100,000 roubles and the 100,000 roubles out of the federal budget.

Simultaneously, a large group of specialists is working in the villages of Upper Vereya, where we were yesterday, Barkovka and Tumbolese. Already next week, we will start digging foundations in order to actually start building new villages. The funds have been allocated. But even today, it was reported that a number of businesses in Moscow are offering to pay for the construction of 30 houses each. We will contact them and make the decision on this issue. Meetings have been held, and the last meeting on the villages is in progress now: the inhabitants are almost unanimously in favour of rebuilding the villages that were destroyed in the inferno. Report completed.

Vladimir Putin: All right. We talked yesterday about evacuating children to other regions of the country, with their parents' permission. Yesterday I discussed this with a number of governors. You know what their proposals are, and they have agreed to do it. Have you talked with the people about this? Do they agree to do this?

Valery Shantsev: The last time I talked with them was two hours ago, when I went to the camp that you and I visited previously. For the time being the people want to stay there. They said, "Let us get over the shock first and then we will decide." I don't think we can tell them to send their children away just like that. I would like to thank you; Alexander Tkachyov phoned me from Krasnodar, and proposed the Anapa summer camp. We got telegrams about summer camps from Samara, and we also have about 800 beds that we could use for accommodation in areas where there is no smoke. But we try to take people's wishes into account. We will send the children there if that's what they want.

Vladimir Putin: All right, I understand, thank you. Next, the Ryazan Region, Oleg Kovalyov, please. Viktor Basargin, Regional Development Minister, is also there. Let us start with the governor. Mr Kovalyov, if you please.

Oleg Kovalyov: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. At present we have eight pockets of non-localised fires with a total area of 4,300 hectares in the Ryazan, Spas-Klepiki, Kasimov and Rybinsk districts.

Due to the increased danger of fire, we imposed an emergency regime on July 29. On July 30, that is, yesterday, we put out a fire on 12 hectares in the Kasimov District, and today, we put out a fire on 500 hectares in the Yermishin District.

Three of these eight non-localised fires are extremely problematic and raise serious concerns and fears. That is where the maximum number of forces and resources is concentrated. The first fire is in the Ryazan District, in the forest territory of a military installation near the city of Ryazan; it is approaching the city. The second fire is in the Kasimov District, on the border with the Vladimir Region. And the third fire is raging in the Prioksky Nature Reserve. It is nearly impossible to access, because there are no roads in the reserve, not even local roads. Yesterday, we requested the assistance of aviation, that is, helicopter support. We have fuel and a landing pad. Unfortunately, today's weather conditions are such that a helicopter cannot fly. There is too much smoke. But we hope that once the smoke disperses slightly, the helicopter will come and we will be able to put out these three fires.

We are also holding back a 16-kilometre front of fire in the vicinity of the Yermishin District on the border with the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

In general, every effort is made to keep the situation under control. About 1,200 people are working, with more than 200 vehicles. All the equipment has been mobilised, including watering, water transport and other equipment. We are waiting for reinforcements with artillery heavy haulers, which would help us to make clearings. According to the information available, two of the haulers are en route. We will send one of them to the Seltsy area, a military training ground, in order to create a buffer zone. But, of course, we would also send a couple of these large artillery haulers to the Ryazan District, in order to isolate the villages that have already been affected by the fire. Those include Kriusha and the villages that have already been affected...

Today, we held meetings with the people from the burned villages. I must say that the conversation was quite difficult. People, of course, are very concerned about their future. The headquarters that was set up is now operating. We will finalise the lists of the victims today and tomorrow. Starting on Monday, we will issue an advance of 10,000 roubles to anyone who needs it by opening bank accounts for them and transferring funds from the regional budget. And on Tuesday, according to Deputy Finance Minister Shatalin's message, we will get support from the federal budget. Also on Tuesday, we will start to pay out the 100,000 roubles compensation from the regional budget and 100,000 roubles from the federal budget for the loss of property.

We plan to begin clearing the area in the villages where the threat of fire has passed by the end of the week. We have localities that are partially burned, and those where the risk of fire is still present. We have increased fire safety measures there now and will start on construction.

We expect to take the following approach: if people want us to rebuild their houses in the same place, we can do that. Otherwise, we will offer them flats in localities near the houses that have already been built. And if people, especially the elderly, want to receive their compensation and live with their relatives, for example with their children, then we believe there must also be such an option.

We are providing all the necessary medical assistance and temporary accommodation; all the social services are also working with the people.

One more thing I would like to add. There is still a real threat to a number of localities with 3,000 residents in total. These are Laskovsky, Deulina, Boriskovo, Priozyorny, Keltsy, Golovanovo, which is affected by the fire in the Prioksky Nature Reserve, and Seltsy in the Rybnov District.

We have made every effort to secure the area, but I still hope to receive support from the regions that have not been affected by wildfires, because we simply will not be able to cope with the forces we have been able to mobilise. There is a danger that the fire will spread, especially if there are strong winds. Now, we have this almost windless weather and a lot of smoke. We are managing for the moment because only the ground litter is burning, and there are no crown fires like there were on July 29.

My report is finished.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Alexei Gordeyev, governor of the Voronezh Region, please.

Alexei Gordeyev: Mr Putin, colleagues. As has already been stated, the critical day for the Voronezh Region was also July 29, when the fire situation deteriorated sharply: 136 forest fires were identified within a short time. The total area of forests affected by wildfires was 3,500 hectares.

To date, the fire in the area has destroyed 292 houses, 244 families lost their homes, which is a total of 509 people. We were able to evacuate more than 6,000 people, including 2,500 children, from the danger zone. Currently, all affected persons have been provided with temporary accommodation, including in regional and municipal housing.

The fire has had the greatest impact in two areas.

The village of Maslovka, Voronezh District: a total 80 residential buildings destroyed, 67 families and 205 people left homeless; 144 people are currently housed in temporary accommodation at a regional hotel.

The second area is the village of Olkhovatka, Verkhnemamonov District: 101 residential buildings that were home to 201 people were destroyed. We have also resolved this issue; all of the people in the area have been placed in temporary accommodation.

I would like to report separately on the situation today: over the past day it has been brought under control, although the situation remains difficult because of the heat wave. Unfortunately, the forecast is the same for the next week. There are 18 firefighting sites currently remaining. The task force has been increased to 3,000 personnel, plus 600 items of equipment.

We're using aviation, which really made a positive impact yesterday. We employed special technology to extinguish fires from the air, using two planes and one helicopter. We ask that we be allowed to keep this technology for the next couple of days to stabilise the situation. I would also like to commend the Emergency Ministry staff for working around the clock and rapidly responding to all calls related to the fire. Also, we were able to attract technology companies to form a voluntary unit in all rural localities in the area to conduct continuous monitoring of the situation, especially in the forest.

Mr Putin, I would note that the government of the Russian Federation made a timely decision. Yesterday evening, we received the instructions from the government, on which we started to work and disburse 10,000 roubles to each applicant. It has also been decided to issue another 10,000 roubles from the municipal budget; in other words, people will get 20,000 roubles each.

Now, we are drawing up all the necessary lists, taking into account the fact that there is a sizable number people eligible for property compensation in the amount of 200,000 roubles each, including 100,000 roubles from the regional budget.

There are no financial problems. Everything has been decided at the federal level. A separate issue is compensation for construction sites destroyed by fire. By the way, the meeting and videoconference are now in progress at the place where the people who have lost their homes are temporarily housed, and they can hear our conversation.

Today we consulted with the people and they have raised a number of issues. For example, some people want to rebuild their houses independently from us, some families want to receive compensation, some people's homes are not registered, a number of people were not registered at the place of actual residence for many years and so on - there are many different issues. We are trying to resolve them and we will apply to the Government Executive Office to get a definite solution within 24 hours. Unfortunately, we need solutions that are not provided for by the law, but a prompt response is required.

This morning we visited Deputy Minister of Regional Development Vadim Tokarev. We discussed these issues and signed all the necessary documents. In general, we are maintaining contacts with officials at both the federal and municipal levels. All the people are involved and working around the clock. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: What specific questions do you have? You have people sitting behind you. Did you say you are at the temporary accommodation?

Alexei Gordeyev: Yes, we're at the temporary accommodation, and we have 145 people here. We decided that a representative group would participate, so that people see the situation in other regions of the country and understand the problems that we have to solve together.

Vladimir Putin: Give them the microphone, let them ask what they are particularly interested in and concerned about. Yes, please.

Question: My name is Mikhail Panteleyev. I would like... Can I get compensation for my house that has burned down? What will be the amount of compensation? I've been thinking of moving in with my son's family as my health is now not what it used to be. Otherwise, my wife and I will be left on our own. That's all. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: All right. What other questions are there? Go ahead. I will write them down and reply to them all together.

Question: A young family was living in their parents' house. The house burned down, and neither of the young people was registered. Now, my daughter was born on July 28. I would like to find out about the compensation.

Vladimir Putin: All right. More questions, please.

Question: My name is Yulia Timofeyeva. I owned two houses. I lived in one house with my family and the other house was inherited. Both of them have burned down. I would like to ask if I will get compensation for both houses? Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Another question. Go ahead.

Question: My house has burned down. I have not privatised the land plot, but the house itself is privatised. I would like to ask what is going to happen - the new construction...

Vladimir Putin: I understand. Next question, please.

Question: My question is this: our views at this time are divided - some people wanted to stay in the same place of residence, others would like a new one. And then there were some minor arguments about this. Will our wishes be taken into account in this case?

Vladimir Putin: Good. Is that all? Please, go ahead.

Question: Will the 200,000 roubles be paid if the person was not registered in his home? My husband and my child are registered, but I'm registered at his parents' house. But we have common property and we live together.

Vladimir Putin: Understood. I will first answer the questions of those who are located in the hall with us, and then, in closing, I will make a few remarks.

Mr Panteleyev asked about compensation. Yes, of course, we will pay compensation.

Next, regarding the house with the parents and a young family. I want to tell you that 1,257 homes burned down in the whole country, and the number of affected families is 1,273. That is more households than houses. That means that in some cases several families lived in the same home. We will build a house for each family or pay compensation to each affected family regardless of whether they lived together or separately.

Now the owner of two houses - it's not important if you owned two or three houses; your property has burned down, and the state will pay you compensation for these losses. If it was two houses, you will get compensation for both of them or they will be rebuilt.

The land plot is not registered? No problem. I think that the local authorities and the governor should take an informal approach in this situation and file the remaining documents quickly. It will not be an obstacle to the construction and payment of compensation.

If someone was not registered in the house he or she was living in, then, of course, you will receive compensation for the loss of personal property and may be eligible to live in this house in the future, which will be rebuilt. Because, once again I want to say that there will be 100,000 roubles in compensation for real estate from the federal budget and 100,000 roubles in compensation for real estate from the regional budget, plus the two million roubles for construction of houses and one million roubles for the engineering and other infrastructure adjacent to the house; in other words, three million roubles for construction. These three million will come from regional budgets and regional authorities, and the regional authorities together with the municipal authorities will be responsible for organising the construction and renovation of residential buildings.

I want to say a few words about the timing of construction. We have consulted with construction companies, the regional authorities and local authorities. In all the affected regions, and I want to emphasise this - in all of them - we will be able to restore residential buildings by the end of October of this year. And I ask the governors to execute this.

There is one problem with organising construction. What is it? It is that when construction is funded with federal money, we have to hold tenders. A tender can take up to 45 days by law. But in this case we have the opportunity, and the law provides for it, to resolve these issues more quickly, on the principle of a single supplier. The Minister for Regional Development can hear me now. I just spoke with the Minister of Economic Development. Together with the two ministries, the regions must submit proposals for those construction companies that you will select to organise these operations. We will make the decision in Moscow. I just ask you to do it quickly.

To return to reconstruction, it can be more difficult with those buildings that were not registered at all. I ask here that you do not weigh the situation down with bureaucracy, and meet the people halfway. You can either provide them with new land plots, or legalise what has already been built, and properly renovate this housing, naturally, already in a new, modern form. Older people, of course, should have a choice either to get compensation, or perhaps some of them can be provided with apartments, if, as it was here in Voronezh, the burned buildings were directly on the outskirts of the city. You can also buy an apartment on the secondary housing market. In general, this is a task that should involve the governor, and I think it is not difficult to solve these problems if the resources are available, and as you know federal resources have been allocated for this.

I want to thank everyone who has effectively and courageously fought the wildfires: the staff of the Emergencies Ministry and ordinary people, including those who defended their own property, their own homes and the houses of their neighbours.

I want to note also that not everything was done in a timely manner. However, this is no time to point fingers - we need something else now. We need to consolidate efforts in order to prevent the wildfires from spreading, and to efficiently and effectively organise the reconstruction work.

Our country faced great adversity in different eras. The Pechenegs plundered Russia, as well as the Cumans and the Teutonic Knights. We lived through the Great Patriotic War. Russia has withstood everything, survived everything. And now there is another test. It does not affect all of us, it is not an invasion, but it is a test. And of course, we shall withstand it. But only if we work together seamlessly and effectively together, with full responsibility for the task the country has assigned us.

And now I would like to address the heads of regions and municipalities. As you know, tomorrow is Sunday, but neither the fire nor wind take days off, and so you and I will have no days off either. I ask the regional leaders, as I did yesterday in my written appeal to you, go to the places that were hardest hit by the fires, to be with the people, to talk with them, to understand what is happening there, to see everything with your own eyes. Find out all the details. Gather the necessary information and draw up the lists of the victims, so that we do not have the bureaucratic foot-dragging on the financing and organisation of the construction work. Make sure this work is being done effectively. Pay the advance, as we agreed, 10,000 per person, and I want to emphasise this - per person.

And on Monday at 2 p.m. I expect you all in Moscow, to review the situation of past few days and to plan our joint efforts for the near future.

Thank you for your attention, and all the best.