"In 2011, the wildfire area decreased by a quarter, or from 2.1 to 1.6 million hectares, as compared with 2010, and the number of wildfires decreased by one third, from 33,000 to 21,000," Zubkov said, opening the conference call.

"These indicators were achieved as a result of comprehensive legislative, financial and organisational measures developed by the federal centre and implemented by the regions. Close and constant interaction between the Federal Agency for Forestry and the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief has formed an efficient system of combating wild fires," Zubkov said.

"This year the government of the Russian Federation adopted a new procedure through the Federal Agency for Forestry for licensing regional firefighting organisations. This procedure includes requirements on firefighting equipment, and most importantly, professional training of firefighters. Today the Federal Agency for Forestry will report on this work, which is to be concluded by March 31, 2012," Zubkov said.

Zubkov said that the Russian government resolution has approved the criteria for assessing the activity of regions in implementing the powers delegated to them in the area of forest relations. The resolution sets forth five criteria groups: forest fire protection, organisation of logging, forest regeneration, protection of forests against diseases and provision of forest services.

"A decision was made to extend 4.4 billion rouble subventions to regions for implementing forest protection measures. In addition to the 5 billion roubles that the Russian government allocated last year for the purchase of firefighting equipment, the government will allocate similar funds this year," Zubkov said.

He also said that under the Interregional Plan of Maneuvering Forces and Firefighting Equipment, there are plans to employ 2,500 people and about 2,300 units of equipment.

Over the course of the conference call, Zubkov focused on the need to ban the uncontrolled burning of dry grass, for the legal regulation, on the regional level, of citizens' visits to forests during conditions of an extraordinary threat of wild fires, to conclude the development of the combined plans for fighting wildfires and to ensure the complete preparedness of firefighting equipment. "In the lead up to the beginning of the fire season, the regions should mobilise their efforts and resources to conclude the relevant work," Zubkov said.

Zubkov also spoke on the work on rewetting peat in the Moscow Region. "We regularly focus on this issue. We have looked into this issue recently in the Russian government. The work is being conducted according to plan. To date, 28,000 hectares have been rewetted, and an additional 31,000 hectares are scheduled to be rewetted this year. The matter will be concluded in 2013," he said.

The heads of 79 regions contacted the teleconference centre of the government of the Russian Federation directly.

Primorye Region Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky reported to Zubkov on the localisation of a wildfire on the territory of the Leopardovy Federal Reserve. According to Miklushevsky, all necessary measures have been taken; the number of firefighters has been increased. There are currently 110 firefighters. "The wildfire will be completely extinguished very soon," Miklushevsky said.