Serbia wildfire: Deliblatska Peščara faces severe blaze, 1,500 hectares burned

The situation in Deliblatska Peščara, Serbia, remains extremely difficult and uncertain as a large fire continues to burn, consuming over 1,500 hectares of forest and low vegetation. Strong winds and challenging terrain are hampering firefighting efforts, creating ongoing risks for further spread.

More than 300 personnel, supported by 30 heavy machinery units and four helicopters, are actively working to combat the blaze. Firefighters have created a 50-meter-wide firebreak stretching over 1,700 meters behind houses in the Šumarak settlement in an attempt to contain the fire. However, officials acknowledge that due to the terrain and wind, the primary strategy involves encircling the fire with these breaks, a process expected to be lengthy.

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The situation in Deliblatska Peščara is still extremely difficult and uncertain, conditions for further fire development, including strong winds, are still unfavorable, and in the meantime, 1,500 hectares have burned.

Luka Čaušić, Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs and head of the Sector for Emergency Situations, stated that the priority is ensuring no one is harmed and protecting homes and the surrounding forest. He noted that the fire had reached some yards the previous night but stopped, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the situation in the windy region.

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Due to the terrain and strong winds, the only thing we can do is surround the fire with firebreaks. We have (about thirty) large working machines, and we will try to contain the fire in this way, and this will surely take time.

Residents from surrounding settlements were evacuated preventively the previous night. Čaušić also appealed to the public to exercise extreme caution during the current high temperatures and refrain from starting any fires. He mentioned that Serbia has experienced over 300 fires in the past two to three days, with two other active fires, one in an inaccessible area of Stolovi, primarily burning low vegetation and grass.

The Republican Headquarters for Emergency Situations is in constant session, and the government is providing necessary support. Despite the challenges, firefighters are working to control the situation, with the understanding that extinguishing the fire will take time.

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The priority is that no one gets hurt and that houses and the surrounding forest area are protected.