Fires in Deliblatska Peščara Under Control, but Risks Remain Amid Heatwave

Wildfires in Serbia's Deliblatska Peščara are currently under control, but the ongoing heatwave and strong, unpredictable winds continue to fuel concerns about potential flare-ups. Residents in villages adjacent to the fire zones are actively participating in firefighting efforts, working alongside emergency services.

Local resident Jozef Kispal described the challenging conditions, stating, "Yesterday, actually last night, from when it got dark, we started extinguishing. Then it was very dangerous, we had to defend against it entering the village." He credited local youth and forestry workers with their crucial assistance in controlling the blaze.

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Yesterday, actually last night, from when it got dark, we started extinguishing. Then it was very dangerous, we had to defend against it entering the village. We were lucky, those youths, those who work in the forestry administration, have a truck with a tank, old but they did a very good job. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have been able to contain that fire.

Miodrag Kerekeš, another resident, highlighted the community's role: "The locals are on standby, and we are essentially just protecting the village, but we cannot protect a large part of the property, which is state property, which is the forest." He expressed a sense of being left to manage the situation, with the potential for more extensive damage.

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The locals are on standby, and we are essentially just protecting the village, but we cannot protect a large part of the property, which is state property, which is the forest. We are a bit left here, let's say, to burn more than it should, to react in a timely manner.

Professor Milivoj B. Gavrilov, a retiree, recounted a harrowing experience where fire reached his doorstep. "I won't complain, but the fire was in front of my house," he said. "I prepared my car and a few things to leave somewhere, in case it came to that. It was very unpleasant." He added that rain is expected to help fully extinguish the fires.

The Sector for Emergency Situations has assured the public that residents are safe. Aerial firefighting efforts involving helicopters from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the army, as well as a Russian 'Il-76' aircraft, have been deployed. However, residents note that when night falls, aerial support diminishes, leaving them to manage the situation on the ground.

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I won't complain, but the fire was in front of my house. Here there are some people, guys, who helped so that the fire didn't enter my house. I prepared my car and some little things to sit and go somewhere, in case that happens. It was very unpleasant.