Ibar Valley wildfire uncontained; Deliblatska Peščara blaze calms

A significant wildfire continues to rage in the Ibar Valley near Ušće, burning over 80 hectares of pine forest and an additional 90 hectares of pasture and low vegetation on Žaračka Planina above Ušće. Firefighting units from Kraljevo and surrounding regions have been working through the night, but strong winds are making their efforts to contain the blaze extremely difficult.

The fire has been burning for three days on the slopes of Stolovi, stretching from Maglič to Polumir. Fortunately, no people or households are currently in danger. However, the challenging terrain and weather conditions prevent the use of heavy machinery. The Serbian Ministry of Interior's helicopter, which deployed five tons of water during 60 flights on Thursday, is expected to provide further assistance today.

Smoke from the fire is spreading along the Ibar highway, causing traffic slowdowns on some sections, though no complete blockages have been reported. The smoke is so dense that it can be detected up to 30 kilometers away, affecting parts of Kraljevo.

Meanwhile, the fire in Deliblatska Peščara has calmed significantly, with a noticeable reduction in smoke. Despite this improvement, firefighters anticipate that winds will pick up again during the day, posing renewed challenges. Their primary focus remains on defending the homes in the Šumarak settlement.

Reinforcements from other cities have arrived overnight, and military personnel have also joined the firefighting efforts. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing efforts to control the fires while managing the environmental and logistical challenges they present.