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Serbia in Flames: Six Fires Devour Over 1,100 Hectares

The army, police, and numerous firefighters are involved in extinguishing the largest fire in the nature reserve, and a state of emergency has been declared in the municipality of Kovin due to the danger.

Foto: Stefan Kostić na Unsplash
Summary
  • Six fires are active in Serbia, covering more than 1,100 hectares in total.
  • The largest fire is raging in the Deliblato Sands (700 ha), where the army, police, and 125 firefighters are deployed.
  • A state of emergency has been declared in the municipality of Kovin, and two settlements are without electricity and water.
  • Fires are also active on Mount Stolovi (200 ha), near Kraljevo (170 ha), and near Zaječar (100 ha).

Firefighters and emergency services in Serbia are battling six active fires that had engulfed more than 1,100 hectares by Saturday evening. The situation is most critical in the Deliblato Sands, where flames have consumed as much as 700 hectares, with members of the army and the Ministry of Interior also involved in the extinguishing operation, the Operational Team of the Republic Emergency Situations Headquarters announced.

Mass Mobilization in the Deliblato Sands

Some 125 firefighters with 29 vehicles and two quad bikes are engaged in extinguishing the fire in this nature reserve. They have been joined by a unit of the Serbian Army with four vehicles and one piece of heavy machinery, and the field capacities of the public enterprises "Srbijavode" and "Vojvodinašume" have also been deployed. Four helicopters of the Serbian Ministry of Interior are extinguishing the fire from the air.

Due to the severity of the situation, a state of emergency has been declared in the Banat municipality of Kovin. Some settlements have already been evacuated. The fire has also affected a power line, leading to power outages in two settlements, and water supply has been suspended because pumps cannot operate.

Unpredictable Winds Hinder Firefighting Efforts

An additional problem for the firefighters is the so-called "rose of three winds," characteristic of the Deliblato Sands area. These winds make the spread of the fire unpredictable, so efforts are being made to contain it preventively by urgently building and widening forest roads.

Other Hotspots Across the Country

On Mount Stolovi, flames are consuming about 200 hectares of dry grass, low vegetation, and deciduous forest. In the Ibar Gorge, at the village of Maglič near Kraljevo, approximately 170 hectares of forested area have been burned. In the east of the country, a fire near Zaječar in the village of Gabrovnica has affected about 100 hectares, and teams on the ground are working around the clock to prevent its further spread.

FAQ
How many fires are currently active in Serbia and what is the total burned area? +
According to the statement from the competent headquarters, six fires were active on Saturday evening, covering more than 1,100 hectares.
Where is the situation most critical and which forces are engaged? +
The situation is most severe in the Deliblato Sands, where 700 hectares have burned. The extinguishing effort involves 125 firefighters, the army with machinery, employees of public enterprises, and four helicopters from the Ministry of Interior.
What are the consequences of the fires for the local population? +
A state of emergency has been declared in the municipality of Kovin, and some settlements have been evacuated. Due to damage to a power line, two settlements are without electricity, and consequently without water because pumps cannot operate.
What is hindering the firefighting efforts in the Deliblato Sands? +
The firefighting is hampered by a specific wind system known as the 'rose of three winds,' which makes the spread of the fire unpredictable.

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