Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the army to help tackle massive wildfires raging in Siberia and other regions in the east.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

The decision was taken after Mr Putin was briefed on the growing crisis by the head of the emergencies ministry.

About three million hectares (7.4 million acres) have been affected, in what Greenpeace is describing as an "ecological catastrophe".

Many local residents say not enough is being done to tackle the fires.

More than 700,000 people have signed a petition calling for tougher action and for an emergency to be declared across the vast Siberia region.

There has been widespread anger after comments by emergencies officials that they are not planning to tackle wildfires in remote uninhabited areas because there is no direct threat to people.