Ulaanbaatar
Forest and Steppe Fires Double in 2025, One-Third Detected via Satellite
Society
Ulaanbaatar, January 9, 2026 /MONTSAME/. Due to climate change, drought, low precipitation, forest clearing, and extreme heat, a total of 273 forest and steppe fires were recorded nationwide in 2025, affecting 84 soums in 15 aimags and three districts of the capital, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). This represents a twofold increase compared to the previous year.
Preliminary
estimates indicate that approximately 947,000 hectares were affected by the
fires, including 77,000 hectares of forest and 870,000 hectares of steppe land.
The resulting damage is estimated at around MNT 370 billion - an increase of 185
times compared to earlier losses.
Of
the recorded fires, 63.5 percent were detected through public reports, 32.9
percent via satellite thermal hotspot data, and 3.6 percent through aerial
reconnaissance. Prompt response measures were taken in all cases.
Firefighting operations involved more than 5,300 emergency service personnel, along with members of state military and law enforcement agencies, local professional units, volunteer groups, and citizens, totaling 13,256 people. More than 2,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment were deployed, while three helicopters conducted a total of 55 sorties. Individual emergency personnel spent between 35 and 70 days on duty at fire sites.
