The death toll in Russia's capital Moscow is increasing, as record-breaking heat and toxic smoke smothers the city.

The content of carbon monoxide in the air has already reached nearly 7 times higher than acceptable. The smog has pushed pollution levels to new highs, threatening people's health. On Monday, firefighters managed to extinguish 20 thousand hectares of burning land. But, Russia's Emergencies Ministry says despite there being less land on fire, about 170 thousand hectares is still engulfed in flames.

The smog blanketing Moscow is expected to clear in the next few days with rain and cooler temperatures forecast.