Massive Fire Engulfs Serbian Nature Reserve, Over 3,500 Hectares Burned

A significant wildfire is raging in Serbia's Deliblatska Peščara, threatening multiple settlements and burning over 3,500 hectares of forest and vegetation. Firefighters are currently engaged in a difficult battle against the blaze, which was first detected on July 21 and reportedly went out of control on August 5.

Several villages, including Grebenac, Kajtasovo, and Trujno naselje, have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The fire's spread has prompted a large-scale response, with over 300 individuals from the Sector for Emergency Management, the Serbian Army, relevant companies, volunteer fire departments, and the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Center deployed to the scene.

Adding to the challenge, a Russian "iljušin" aircraft has been deployed, dropping 42 tons of water multiple times on the affected areas. Serbian MUP helicopters are also actively involved. Firefighting efforts are hampered by strong winds and soaring temperatures, with a new heatwave expected to bring temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius.

Elizabet Paunović, a doctor and retired director at the World Health Organization's European Centre for Environment and Health, has urged for a public health warning due to air pollution from the fire, particularly for vulnerable populations.

“

it is necessary to issue a public health warning due to air pollution from the fire, especially for vulnerable categories of the population.