A natural fire continues to burn in a mountainous and hard-to-reach area of Kazakhstan’s Abai region.

Axar.az reports, citing Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, that dry grass and shrubs caught fire in the Kazankemir area of the Tarbagatai rural district in Ayagoz district. The fire spread into the territory of the Tarbagatai State National Nature Park.

Around 226 personnel and 43 vehicles from emergency services, the Semey Ormany forest reserve, the Tarbagatai national park and local authorities are involved in firefighting efforts. Two helicopters have also been deployed and have made 12 water drops.

The operation is being hampered by difficult mountainous terrain, steep slopes, a lack of access roads to the fire zones and strong wind gusts.

Authorities said there is no threat to nearby settlements and the situation remains under control.