Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin helps to tackle Russia's summer wildfires

[cowcommander]

Source: Guardian

Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin climbed into a firefighting plane yesterday and dumped water on two of the hundreds of wildfires sweeping through western Russia and cloaking Moscow in a suffocating smog. In a carefully managed photo opportunity, he joined an airborne firefighting team dumping water on one of the two hundred fires. After taking off in a Be-200 firefighting plane, he then moved into the co-pilot's seat. Usefully placed television cameras captured the moment he pushed a button to unleash gallons of water on forest fires about 120 miles south-east of Moscow. After hitting the button, Putin glanced toward the pilot and asked, "Was that OK?" The response: "A direct hit!"

The fires that have savaged Russia in the past two weeks have caused billions of dollars in damage and left thousands homeless. Putin has called on soldiers to help overstretched firefighting brigades and has played a visible role, walking through villages effected by the fires and promising new homes.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/11/vladimir-putin-russia-summer-wildfires#