'Stay home'. Smog alert issued in Siberia's largest city and surrounding region

A warning from the local branch of the Russian Emergency Situations was issued on Sunday in Novosibirsk and Novosibirsk region. 

'We inform you that the hot weather, with smog in the air, will stay,' said the alert.

'We recommend you to follow the safety rules and avoid the possible heat stroke by limiting your time outside.'

Despite the spread of some from forest fires,  Tolmachevo airport in Novosibirsk remained open. 

There has been a prolonged period of hot weather - with temperatures above 30C - across much of Western Siberia. 

On Saturday, the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) said there were a total of 160 forest fires are blazing on an area of  19,0094 hectares.

'There is no threat to spreading the fire to settlements and economic facilities,' said a statement.

'The situation is more difficult in the Siberian, Ural and Far Eastern Federal Districts,' it went on.

'There are 29 fires on the area of about 3,000 hectares in Krasnoyarsk Territory. Two forest fires on the area of over 2,000 hectares are burning in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).'

Significant curbs remain in various Siberian regions aimed at limiting further fire damage. 

States of emergency are in place in Tomsk region, Khararovsk Territory, and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area.

Entry to forests is also banned in  Primorye, Trans-Baikal, Altai and Tyumen.