Serbia battles 35 wildfires; Deliblatska peščara most challenging

Serbia is currently facing a significant wildfire crisis, with 35 active blazes raging across the country. The most critical situation is unfolding in the Deliblatska peščara, a unique sandy forest area, where containment efforts are proving exceptionally difficult. The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) reported that firefighters, the army, volunteer groups, and international partners are working tirelessly to bring the fires under control.

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Thanks to the engagement of firefighters-rescuers and air capacities, there are no burnt buildings or human casualties for now, while all settlements in the Deliblatska peščara area have been defended from the fire.

The challenging terrain, characterized by dense vegetation and sandy soil, combined with strong winds, severely impedes the work of ground crews and firefighting vehicles. Despite these difficulties, authorities have managed to protect all settlements in the Deliblatska peščara, and thus far, no residential buildings have been lost, nor have there been any civilian casualties.

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Firefighting continues to be extremely difficult due to very strong winds and almost completely inaccessible terrain, with dense vegetation and sandy soil, which prevents fire trucks from accessing the area.

Another major fire is burning on Stolovi mountain near Kraljevo, affecting approximately 200 hectares. The MUP noted that the extremely inaccessible and dangerous terrain makes firefighting efforts difficult, but no structures or lives are currently at risk. In the Lukovo area near Vranje, a fire has consumed about 1,000 hectares of grass, low brush, and forest, though its spread towards populated areas has been prevented.

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Due to the extremely inaccessible and dangerous terrain, firefighting is difficult. There are no threatened buildings or human casualties.

International assistance is playing a crucial role, particularly in Deliblatska peščara. Helicopters and crews from the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia have been deployed through the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism. Ground forces from Romania (69 firefighters with 15 vehicles) and Germany (56 firefighters with 24 vehicles) are also on site. A Russian Il-76 aircraft, capable of carrying 42 tons of water, has conducted 22 sorties, dropping 924 tons of water on fires in Deliblatska peščara, Stolovi, and near Vranje.

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A total of 22 sorties have been carried out, dropping 924 tons of water on the fire sites in Deliblatska peščara, Stolovi, and near Vranje.