The President had a number of telephone conversations with Governor of Voronezh Region Alexei Gordeyev, Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Valery Shantsev, and Minister of Civil Defence, Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief Sergei Shoigu.
The regional heads and the minister briefed Mr Medvedev on the measures taken to localise and put out the fires, assist the people affected, and evacuate residents from the most dangerous places.
The President also instructed the Government to take all measures necessary to step up fire protection and prevention efforts given the heatwave that has brought abnormally high temperatures to a number of Russian regions.
Mr Medvedev gave the instruction to draft proposals for the purchase of additional fire-fighting equipment, including Be-200 fire-fighting aircraft, and to draw up a comprehensive emergency response plan.
Acting on the President’s instructions, members of the Government are expected to visit the most badly affected regions soon to assess the situation on-site and make plans for the relief effort.