Wildfires in Russia have caused some 12 billion rubles ($394 million) in damage, Emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday.

A scorching heat wave has gripped much of European Russia since mid-June, which, coupled with the worst drought since the 1970s, has made the countryside particularly susceptible to wildfires.

"The costs of extinguishing existing fires, plus [government] funding for housing construction and additional resources, including fuel, are currently estimated at 12 billion rubles," Shoigu said.

The lack of warnings of approaching fires from government agencies, poor exploration and lack of technical equipment led to such a fast spread fires, Shoigu said.

However, rescuers and firefighters managed to save 4,000 residential areas from fires, the minister added.

"There was one day when we evacuated up to 7,000 people," he said.

Thousands of emergency workers and military personnel have been working round the clock for almost three weeks to fight the fires in 22 regions, which have so far left over 3,500 homeless.

A total of 515 firefighters and 96 pieces of equipment were sent to Russia from abroad to battle the fires.

Russian Railways (RZD) dispatched special trains to fight wildfires in the Moscow Region. These trains can carry 240 tons of water each, enough to put out a peat bog fire with an area of 240 square meters.

MOSCOW, August 19 (RIA Novosti)