Evacuation in Šumarak as Fire Engulfs 700 Hectares
Third Day of Battling the Blaze: Thick Smoke Blots Out the Sky, Residents Flee Homes in Tears, and Low Danube Water Levels Hamper Firefighting Efforts
Third Day of Battling the Blaze: Thick Smoke Blots Out the Sky, Residents Flee Homes in Tears, and Low Danube Water Levels Hamper Firefighting Efforts
A catastrophic fire that has been raging through the Deliblato Sands for the third day has reached dramatic proportions. The flames have so far consumed more than 700 hectares of pine forest, low vegetation, and grass, with extreme weather conditions further exacerbating the situation. The Republic Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ) has issued a warning for extreme fire spread conditions, as temperatures have soared to 38 degrees Celsius.
The settlement of Šumarak, located in close proximity to the fire, has been completely evacuated. Police have banned movement throughout the affected area, with access to the settlements of Čardak and Šumarak permitted only for firefighting teams. All available resources have been deployed to combat the blaze, including the army with heavy machinery, while helicopters continuously fly over threatened homes and the weekend settlement.
A Kurir journalist on the ground described the terrifying atmosphere. "The situation in Šumarak is getting worse. The smoke has completely 'killed' the day; you can't see the sky at all. It feels like we've literally walked into a cloud. It seems the fire has spread further."
Evacuated residents, in tears and disbelief, watch as the fire threatens their homes. "We're just praying to God that everything goes as it should," one resident told N1 Serbia. Another added, "Yes, my house is right across from here. This is terrible and heartbreaking. I'm just praying to God that everything goes as it should." A third recounted how she took her children to safety: "Yes, we all left. I took the kids to my kuma's place."
One resident said his home was only about 50 meters from where the fire was located. "It's a disaster, what can you expect," he told N1 Serbia. When asked if he could return home, he replied: "No, but I don't know, hopefully everything will be okay. Hopefully it'll be fine, if they can just put out this fire, calm it down, then we'll see what happens next; nobody knows anything. Whatever happens, happens, as God wills. If they manage to put it out, they will; if not, they won't."
A resident who has lived in the area for 20 years said she had never experienced anything like this. "I've been here for 20 years, and nothing like this has ever happened. Even if it had, not like this. This is terrible, the third day now," she said through tears.
Firefighting efforts are being severely hampered by the exceptionally low water level of the Danube near Šumarak. It is from this location that emergency services are drawing the water needed to contain the blaze, presenting a major logistical challenge for firefighters and all teams on the ground.
Serbia's Ministry of Interior has released helicopter footage from above the Deliblato Sands, and the police director himself flew over the affected area. Citizens are advised to avoid the area and strictly follow instructions from the authorities.
