In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the best forest firefighter has been determined.

      The regional stage of the annual professional skills competition "Best Forest Firefighter of the Nizhny Novgorod Region-2026" took place in the territory of the Krasnobakovsky municipal district. The event was organized by the regional Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Protection with the involvement of specialists from forest firefighting units. "Today we once again honor those who stand on the front lines in the fight for our forests—the forest firefighters of the Nizhny Novgorod region. 456 professionals take on enormous responsibility every day, being the first to face the threat. Thanks to their selfless work, most fires are managed to be extinguished within the first day. This is not just statistics, but the result of tireless work, high training, and true courage. The profession of a forest firefighter requires special resilience, readiness for risk, and the ability to act in the most difficult conditions. We must not only appreciate this work but also do everything to make the profession increasingly significant in the eyes of society, so that young people see it as a calling and an opportunity to bring real benefits to their homeland. I sincerely thank the forest firefighters for their selflessness, resilience, and dedication to the cause. We will continue to do everything to ensure that our forest firefighters are provided with everything necessary—from equipment to conditions for professional development," emphasized the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife Protection of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Roman Vorobyov.

      27 people participated in the competition—employees of the forest firefighting stations of the Nizhny Novgorod Forest Fire Center and the Vyksunsky Forest Enterprise—subordinate institutions of the Ministry of Forestry. This year, the Ministry of Forestry established the transitional "Champions Cup 'Best Forest Firefighter of the Nizhny Novgorod Region'" for additional encouragement of high results and maintaining continuity in the competitions. The cup will be contested among the winners of previous years' competitions.

      "The competition clearly confirms the highest level of training of our specialists and shows the true value of our safety. We see exceptional skill, responsibility, and courage in people who professionally handle the most dangerous situations. Holding such competitions is important for raising the prestige of the profession of forest firefighter and attracting youth to the industry. It is an excellent school for exchanging best practices," said Denis Bakiyev, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      The competitions took place on a specially prepared forest strip and consisted of three stages. The first stage was a check of the theoretical knowledge of the forest firefighter. Participants completed a timed test task that included questions on tactics and techniques for extinguishing forest fires, as well as on providing first aid. The second stage was a check of physical fitness: push-ups, running a 150-meter distance with a backpack filled with water, overcoming lying logs along the route, and knocking down a wooden figure using a backpack forest fire extinguisher at the finish line. The third stage was a demonstration of practical skills. Participants demonstrated work with a chainsaw and a motor pump, as well as overcoming natural obstacles encountered in the forest when extinguishing fires.

      "The professional skills competition once again confirmed that true professionals work at the forest firefighting stations of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Each participant showed their readiness for operational and effective work in the most challenging conditions. We in the ecology committee regularly interact with the Ministry of Forestry and see that high results are achieved thanks to a competent combination of modern technologies and the dedication of people. Surveillance cameras, drones, aerial patrols—these are reliable tools, but the decisive role is always played by the person who not only possesses skills but also cares deeply about preserving the forest," noted Vladislav Atmakhov, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Ecology and Natural Resources of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      As a result of all stages of the competition, the winner was Dmitry Lakoев, head of the Semyonovskaya LPS of the third type. Second place went to Sergey Romashov, head of the Dalnekonstantinovskaya LPS of the second type. Third place went to Vladimir Krasilnikov, head of the Ostankinskaya LPS of the second type. The champion's cup was awarded to Alexander Dorofeev, head of the Mikhailovskaya LPS of the second type, who showed the best results among the winners of previous years' competitions. All prize winners were awarded diplomas and cash certificates.

      The winner of the competition will represent the Nizhny Novgorod region at the federal stage of the XII All-Russian professional skills competition "Best Forest Firefighter 2026" with international participation, which will take place from September 7 to 10 in the Moscow region in the Pushkin municipal district.

      Preserving forests from fires is one of the most important areas of the national project "Ecological Well-Being." The main goal of the national project is to preserve and increase the forest wealth of the country to create a comfortable and safe environment, as well as to support the economic potential of the forest complex.

      Kristina Koretskaya