Volunteer firefighter on Stolovi: Rain did a serious job in our favor, some embers remain

A significant wildfire that ignited three weeks ago on Stolovi mountain in Serbia, initially in the Ibarska valley near Ušće, is still not fully contained but shows signs of improvement. Recent rainfall has been a crucial factor in suppressing the blaze, according to reports from the scene.

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The yesterday's rain did a serious job in our favor, and there are still some smoldering embers left.

While the fire is not completely out, the situation has improved considerably. Remaining hotspots are burning within already charred areas, preventing further spread. A volunteer firefighter and paraglider, Živorad Glišović, noted that the fire had been dangerously close to a populated area, separated only by a ridge. He described how strong winds on Tuesday had pushed the fire towards unburnt forest, but the subsequent rain provided significant relief.

Glišović expressed deep personal sorrow over the damage, calling it a "tragedy" for nature lovers. While estimates suggest over 1,000 hectares may have burned, he deferred precise figures to experts. His primary concern is the regeneration of the grass and decades-old humus, as well as the long-term health of the coniferous trees, whose root systems' condition typically becomes apparent months after a fire.

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For me, this is a tragedy. Stories say it's over 1,000 hectares, but we'll leave that for those who understand it better than I do.

Extinguishing the fire has been challenging due to the mountain's height and inaccessible terrain. Glišović explained the logistical difficulties, including coordinating vehicle movements on narrow mountain paths. He identified wind as the "biggest enemy," often forcing firefighters to retreat as flames were pushed back towards them.

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The biggest enemy for us was the wind, which was strong throughout the entire fire.

Professional firefighters have been assisting, acknowledging the difficulty of the task. Glišović believes this is the largest fire on Stolovi mountain in living memory. He stated that patrols would continue until the last wisp of smoke disappears and proposed that volunteers return with backpack pumps to extinguish any remaining small fires, ensuring peace of mind that the situation is fully under control.

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This is definitely, according to all accounts, the biggest fire on Stolovi, as far back as people remember.