Villagers and firefighters unite to defend Grebenac from wildfire

In the village of Grebenac, residents and firefighters are locked in a strenuous battle against a wildfire that threatens their community. The fire, which has been raging for a month in the Deliblatska Peščara region, is currently consuming low-lying vegetation near the village.

Local reporter Ognjen from Bela Crkva described the scene as intense, with villagers working alongside exhausted firefighters. "We are helping as we can, we are short on water pumps," he stated. "The firefighters are exhausted; this has been going on for a month. Everyone is fighting, giving their all, but unfortunately, this is too strong to be extinguished."

Helicopters have ceased operations for the day, leaving the villagers and firefighters to face the night with limited resources. "Helicopters finish at 8 p.m. and no longer extinguish, and we are left to God," Ognjen added, highlighting the precarious situation as houses stand only about a hundred meters from the flames.

Residents are using private water tankers and shovels to combat the blaze, working in coordination with firefighters. Despite official advice to let professionals handle the fire due to safety concerns and the risk of reignition, villagers are determined to protect their homes. Firefighters are strategically allowing some areas of low vegetation to burn to create firebreaks, hoping to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby forests when the wind picks up.

The larger Deliblatska Peščara fire, detected on July 21, has spread across more than 3,500 hectares. Residents of Trujino settlement were evacuated as a precaution. High temperatures and strong winds continue to complicate firefighting efforts, with Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić acknowledging the significant resources deployed, including Russian aircraft and personnel.

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Helikopteri u 20 sati završavaju i ne gase više i prepušteni smo Bogu