Moscow Smoke Pollution Delays Flights as Fires Spread

Acrid smoke from forest and peat-bog fires east of Moscow shrouded Russia’s capital city in smoke, raising pollution to dangerous levels, delaying flights and canceling sports events.

At least 47 flights were delayed today as visibility at city airports fell to as little as 350 meters (1,148 feet). “Visibility is deteriorating,” Sergei Izvolsky, a spokesman for the Federal Air Transportation Agency, said by telephone. “We are not seeing any improvement.” As many as 140 flights were delayed yesterday.