Deliblato Sands wildfire still active but situation calm, Kovin emergency staff report

A wildfire in Serbia's Deliblato Sands nature reserve continues to burn, but emergency officials in the Kovin municipality have reported that the situation on the ground is currently calm and stable. The Municipal Emergency Staff announced that no new fires have started and existing ones have not reignited, with teams remaining on site to monitor the situation 24 hours a day.

The areas of Dubovac, Šumarak, and Slatina are currently unaffected, and nearby settlements and homes are not under threat. The firefighting efforts involve a substantial number of personnel and equipment. A total of 196 firefighters from various Serbian units are engaged, supported by 61 vehicles and two ATV vehicles. Additionally, fire crews from Pančevo, Belgrade, Smederevo, and many other cities across Serbia are participating.

International support is also playing a crucial role, with 69 firefighters from Romania and 56 from Germany on the scene, along with 12 firefighters from Hungary. A specialized Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD aircraft is also involved in aerial firefighting, alongside helicopters that are deployed as needed. The recent rainfall has aided in calming the fire, but due to the vastness of the affected area, continuous monitoring and efforts are ongoing.

The scale of the operation highlights the severity of the wildfire, with significant resources mobilized from both domestic and international partners. The Serbian emergency staff emphasized the ongoing efforts to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas.