Wildfires force evacuations in Serbia, Russian plane assists firefighting efforts

Wildfires continue to rage across large areas of Serbia's Deliblatska Pescara forest reserve, situated approximately 60 kilometers east of the capital, Belgrade. The situation escalated on Thursday as temperatures climbed to 39 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. State broadcaster RTS reported that a small village located on the edge of the reserve had to be evacuated after strong winds propelled flames dangerously close to residential homes.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić described the situation as "still complicated" but confirmed there were no immediate reports of damage to life or property. A crucial aid arrived Wednesday evening: an Ilyushin Il-76 firefighting plane from Moscow, dispatched after Belgrade requested assistance amid a return of the heatwave that has ignited dozens of fires across the Balkan region.

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The situation is still complicated.

An AFP journalist observed the Russian aircraft, capable of carrying 42,000 liters of water, dousing parts of the fire on Thursday afternoon while local residents watched. Despite these efforts, Dačić cautioned that the fire remained dangerous, noting the challenges posed by "sand dust, heat, and extreme temperatures."

Extreme weather warnings are in effect across a large part of the Balkans, with officials cautioning about the return of a severe heatwave that has affected Europe this summer. Neighboring Bosnia is also battling significant fires in its mountainous northwestern region, where the threat of landmines left over from the 1990s war complicates firefighting efforts.

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Little do people really realize the seriousness of the situation – due to sand dust, heat and extreme temperatures.