Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

Thick Smog From Forest Fires Blankets Moscow

Aired September 08, 2002 - 10:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Bad situation getting much worse in Moscow. Thick smog from forest fires there now blanketing the city. It's creeping into the homes, offices and subway stations. The latest now from CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Choking, acrid smoke is smothering the Russian capital. Noon in Moscow looks like midnight. In some parts of the city, visibility is down to 50 meters, 150 feet. Carbon monoxide is nearly double the admissible level.

The city's airports are temporarily shut down. The Kremlin, photographed a week ago on a rare clear day, looks like this. Sunday, it was hard to make out the golden domes of the cathedrals.

The smoke is coming from burning bogs and forests outside of Moscow. The fires began nearly a month and a half ago. There are now 200 of them blazing away, despite the efforts of some 5,000 firefighters and soldiers.

(on camera): The towers of Moscow State University just down the road here are one of the symbols of Moscow, but you can barely make them out. And across the street here, one of the best views of the city, with nothing to see.

(voice-over): Americans Karen and Peter Neumann and their son, Maxim (ph), were trying to take in the sites.

PETER NEUMANN, VISITOR: And they said Moscow University was just over there, but we can't see that either.

DOUGHERTY: Souvenir stands are usually crammed with tourists, but not today. Natasha, one of the saleswomen, tells us, "the tourists take care of their health more than we do," she says.

Although some Muscovites are taking it in stride, others are buying masks. They are getting mixed signals from city health officials. The chief toxicologist claims the smoke has no long- lasting effects. Others officials warn pregnant women, children and the elderly to leave the city.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We have heard these ludicrous announcements on TV that they are going to get to the bottom of this and punish those responsible. It's a joke.

DOUGHERTY: But no one's laughing. With not a drop of rain predicted, there's no end to the smoke in sight.

Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com