Where is Siberia?
Siberia is a vast Russian province encompassing most of Northern Asia, with terrain spanning tundra, coniferous forest and mountain ranges. The Trans-Baikal region is the hardest hit and remains in emergency mode.
“In total, on April 28th of this year, 3,339 outbreaks were recorded, compared with last year – 1,960”, says Anoprienko. “The area covered by fires since the beginning of the year is 477,000 hectares. Last year, on this day was 382,000 hectares”. These numbers represent as much as 10 times more area damaged by fire in some regions when compared to last year.
Reasons For the Agricultural Fires
“The main reason, of course, is unauthorized and uncontrolled agricultural fires,” says Zinichev. “A less snowy winter, an abnormal winter, and insufficient soil moisture are factors that create the conditions for the transition of landscape fires to settlements.” Fires are started for warmth, to cook, to burn waste, plants, or even for light.
“An abnormally warm winter, an arid spring, and the human factor have made adjustme
nts to our forecasts.”
Fires pose a threat for “significant damage or even death.” As a result Putin is calling for stricter rules and penalties for those starting the fires.
There are varying causes of fire which have also included unattended campfires.
So far, the fires have affected several areas destroying about 77 houses in their path. Smoke pollution is also an issue, which is so thick in some areas it forced a helicopter using spill buckets out of commission. Resident evacuation was necessary in the hardest hit areas and the fires burn on. 
With winds of up to 80km an hour and temperatures reaching 25C the fires start and spread easily. There are approximately 600 firefighters working to out the fires despite social distancing restrictions.
Sources
https://siberiantimes.com/ecology/others/news/wildfires-critical-in-siberia-and-russian-far-east-up-to-ten-times-worse-than-last-year/
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/2020/wildfires-in-siberia-bring-more-challenges-to-locked-down-area