Poisonous smog returns to Moscow as fires continue to burn, expected to clear on Monday

Poisonous smog returns to Moscow

MOSCOW — Officials say the poisonous smog that contributed to a higher death rate in Moscow has returned to Russia’s capital.

Alexey Popikov of weather monitors Mosecomonitoring says the concentration of carbon monoxide in Moscow air early Sunday was more than five times what is considered normal.

He says, however, that by Monday winds will disperse most the smog.

Acrid smoke from forest and peat bog fires blanketed Moscow until early this week, nearly doubling the number of recorded deaths and grounding planes in airports.

Emergency officials said the number of wildfires outside Moscow stood at 16 early Sunday.

This summer is the hottest in Russia’s recorded history. Fires have destroyed provincial towns and together with drought have cost Russia a third of its wheat crop.