Belgrade Smells Smoke From Major Serbian Forest Fire; Officials Urge Calm

Belgrade residents experienced smoke and a burning smell on Friday evening, prompting concern across the capital. Milenko Jovanović of the National Ecological Association attributed the phenomenon to meteorological conditions, specifically wind carrying the effects of a large fire in Deliblatska Pescara.

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Increased certain PM10 particles were recorded precisely in this stretch near Pančevo, such as Zeleno brdo on Zvezdara.

Jovanović described the smell as typical of burning vegetation or forests. He confirmed an increase in certain PM10 particles in areas like Zeleno brdo on Zvezdara, near Pančevo. However, he emphasized that these concentrations were not toxic, unlike those from fires at chemical plants, tire dumps, or landfills. He advised the public against panic, stating the smell should not cause serious respiratory issues.

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These are not toxic concentrations like those from fires at chemical plants, burning tires, or landfill fires.

The Deliblatska Pescara fire has raged for three days, impacting over 700 hectares of trees, low vegetation, and grass. The Serbian military has joined firefighting efforts. Residents of the Šumarak settlement were evacuated, and access to other nearby settlements was restricted to firefighting personnel. Despite strong winds, firefighters managed to protect homes in Deliblatska Pescara from the encroaching flames. However, some weekend houses in Šumarak were lost to the fire.

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There is no need to panic, and this smell should not cause suffocation or serious problems for people.