German firefighters arrive to help battle Serbia's wildfires

German firefighters have arrived in Serbia to aid in extinguishing the persistent wildfires that have been raging in the Deliblatska Pescara Special Nature Reserve for over a month. The fire has consumed more than 3,000 hectares of forest and vegetation, prompting Serbia to request international assistance.

The German contingent, comprising 41 firefighters from Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Lower Saxony, is part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Their deployment, consisting of 22 vehicles including tankers and logistical support, is expected to last ten days. They are scheduled to work on the ground, assisting Serbian and other international firefighting units.

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The mission is planned to last ten days.

This mission is not unprecedented for these German units. It marks their fourth deployment this year within the EU's firefighting modules. Previously, they have provided support in the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany itself. The operation requires significant logistical effort, including arranging personnel and equipment, as volunteer firefighters need to be released from their regular jobs on short notice.

On the ground, the firefighters face extreme physical demands despite specialized clothing. They will operate in two shifts. The German team will be stationed in a camp with Romanian firefighters, who are also contributing to the effort with 69 personnel and 15 vehicles. Additionally, helicopters from Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, along with a Russian Il-76 aircraft, are involved in combating the blaze.

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This is already the fourth mission this year.