Moscow: An airport in the Siberian city of Yakutsk was closed Saturday due to thick smoke from wildfires, according to the airport authority.

"Yakutsk airport was closed until 11.00 p.m. local time due to thick smog," it said. A total of sixteen wild fires were raging across 3,600 hectares in the republic Friday, said the local forestry department. The city is blanketed in smoke which is stinging the eyes of local residents.

IANS