EU Sends Firefighting Resources to Serbia Amidst Devastating Forest Fires

The European Commission has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to send crucial firefighting aid to Serbia, which is struggling to contain widespread forest fires. The fires have ravaged the Deliblato Sands nature reserve in the northern part of the country.

Four helicopters, stationed in the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia, have been deployed. Additionally, firefighters from Germany and Romania are on the ground, working alongside Serbian emergency services. This coordinated response was initiated after Serbia formally requested assistance due to the worsening situation.

"In difficult times, Europe stands firm," stated Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, emphasizing the solidarity shown through this intervention. The EU's Copernicus Emergency Management Service is also providing satellite mapping to monitor the affected areas.

Serbia has been contending with these fires for more than two weeks. The blazes have already consumed over 3,500 hectares of land. Adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, and the challenging accessibility of the terrain have significantly hampered firefighting efforts, making the international assistance vital.

“

Mechanism of Civil Protection in action: firefighting teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Romania and Slovakia have joined the fight against forest fires in Serbia, working alongside local response teams. In difficult times, Europe stands firm.