MOSCOW — Moscow authorities say they have opened more than 120 anti-smog centres as wildfires around the capital suffocate residents and ground dozens of flights.

Municipal official Vladimir Petrosyan said Sunday that exasperated Muscovites could "get their breath back" in 123 air-conditioned rooms that have opened to the public in government buildings and hospitals.

Most apartments in Moscow lack air conditioning.

Emergency officials said they registered 49 wildfires around Moscow on Sunday, including 14 peat bog fires.

The Moscow Ecological Monitoring Service said the concentration of airborne pollutants such as carbon monoxide is more than three times normal levels.

Moscow airports reported delays or diversions of some 90 flights Sunday due to low visibility.