Serbia: Vast areas ablaze - firefighters battle for 2nd day

Extensive wildfires are raging across Serbia, with firefighters engaged in a second day of intense efforts to bring the blazes under control. The most significant fire front is currently located within a protected nature reserve, covering an area of approximately 15,000 acres.

Authorities have taken the precautionary measure of evacuating residents from villages situated near the fire zones. This action is a direct response to the escalating danger posed by the potential spread of the wildfires. So far, no houses have been reported burned, and there are no civilian casualties among the residents.

However, the situation remains critical due to strong winds that are severely hampering the firefighting operations. The prolonged heatwave and drought gripping much of Europe have significantly increased the risk of fires igniting and spreading rapidly across the continent, including in Serbia.

Fires have also broken out in other regions of Serbia, underscoring the widespread impact of the current adverse weather conditions. The combination of high temperatures and dry vegetation creates a highly volatile environment, making firefighting efforts particularly challenging.