Evacuations as wildfires sweep Russia's Ryazan region

The Russian city of Ryazan, some 100 miles southeast of Moscow, has been inundated with smog as forest fires in the surrounding region have ballooned in size over the past two days.

At least two rural settlements had to be evacuated on Sunday as fires crept up to people's property while nearly the entire regional firefighting force had to be mobilized to the heavily forested areas of the region.Unfavorable weather conditions of heat and high wind have exacerbated the fires.A total of 17 aircraft have been engaged to help fight the fires, by unleashing water jets, moving personnel and surveying the territory.