Eastern Serbia wildfires contained after burning 1,300 hectares

Wildfires in the Kladovo region of eastern Serbia have been contained, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry. The fires, which burned more than 1,000 hectares, were brought under control after a challenging day of firefighting complicated by shifting winds.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic confirmed the fire between the villages of Velika Kamenica, Podvrska, and Velesnica was contained around 6:40 p.m. The blaze consumed an area of approximately 1,300 hectares. "Wind kept changing direction throughout the day and made firefighting more difficult, but the most important thing now is to prevent any hotspot from reigniting the fire," Dacic stated.

A state of emergency had been declared in parts of the Kladovo municipality due to the fire's rapid spread, fueled by strong winds. Despite the containment, several hotspots remain active. The MUP Emergency Situations Sector reported that 38 people and 16 vehicles are still at the scene. This includes 27 emergency services personnel with nine vehicles, supported by volunteer firefighters, municipal services, and local residents working to extinguish remaining embers and prevent flare-ups.

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Wind kept changing direction throughout the day and made firefighting more difficult, but the most important thing now is to prevent any hotspot from reigniting the fire.