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Wildfires Rage in Caraș-Severin; Black Hawk Helicopter Deployed for Two Days

Wildfires Rage in Caraș-Severin; Black Hawk Helicopter Deployed for Two Days

From Adevărul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Two major wildfires are actively burning in Caraș-Severin, Romania, with firefighters battling the blazes for two days.
  • A Black Hawk helicopter equipped with a Bambi Bucket system is assisting ground crews by dropping water, having made 10 aerial deployments.
  • High temperatures and wind are exacerbating the fires, which have affected approximately 30 hectares in Sichevița and 15 hectares in Berzasca, with a risk of spreading to forested areas.

Firefighters in Romania's Caraș-Severin region have been battling two significant wildfires for two days, with efforts complicated by high temperatures and strong winds.

To support the ground crews, a Black Hawk helicopter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' General Aviation Inspectorate has been deployed. Equipped with a Bambi Bucket system for aerial firefighting, the helicopter has completed 10 water drops – three over Sichevița and seven over Berzasca. A second aerial resource is also en route to the scene.

In support of the intervention forces, a Black Hawk helicopter of the General Aviation Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, equipped with a Bambi Bucket system, is operating, having carried out 10 water drops so far – three in the Sichevița area and seven in the Berzasca area. At the same time, a second aerial resource is moving towards the intervention site.

— ISU SemenicOfficial statement detailing the aerial support provided for the wildfires.

The fires are active across multiple fronts, posing a risk of spreading to nearby forests. The blaze in Sichevița has impacted roughly 30 hectares of vegetation, while the fire in Berzasca covers an estimated 15 hectares. The challenging conditions, including multiple ignition points and unfavorable weather, are hindering the intervention efforts.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring county of Mehedinți, a separate wildfire consumed approximately 300 hectares of vegetation. Firefighters, aided by local residents using agricultural machinery to create firebreaks, worked for hours to contain that blaze. Authorities warn that the risk of new fires remains high due to the ongoing heatwave and forecasts of even higher temperatures across much of the country.

The fires are manifesting in multiple focars, with a risk of propagation to the forest fund, and the meteorological conditions favor their expansion.

— Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) Caraș-SeverinOfficial warning about the severity and spread potential of the fires.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevărul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.