Russia’s Urals mountains are currently experiencing raging fires, claiming the lives of seven people and destroying hundreds of homes and settlements while prompting evacuations and investigations. Although wildfires during spring and summer are common in Russia’s vast forests and steppes, recent fires have raised suspicions of “negligence.” A criminal inquiry has already been initiated in the Kurgan region. Explosions and arson have also been blamed as causes of some fires. The authorities have assured everyone that settlements are no longer in danger after containing a gunpowder depot fire that has forced a small village’s evacuation in the Sverdlovsk region. However, more than 54,000 hectares of forests and 53 more fires still need to be handled by about 4,800 responders.