Belgrade shrouded in smoke; Apocalyptic scenes; Wildfires rage across Serbia; All units deployed PHOTO/VIDEO

 

The fire affected four areas of low vegetation covering around 80 hectares, as well as approximately 90 hectares of pine forest.

A total of 126 people were deployed to fight the fire in Maglič, including 58 members of the Emergency Situations Sector with 17 vehicles, nine volunteer firefighters, 15 employees of Srbijašume with three vehicles and two pieces of heavy machinery, 10 local residents, five OTIS members with two vehicles, two firefighters from Morava Airport, three employees of Koridori Srbije with two vehicles, and six SRHC employees with three vehicles.

After the fire in Maglič was brought under control, part of the deployed forces was redirected to the fire on Mount Stolovi, in the territory of the city of Kraljevo, where flames engulfed dry grass, low vegetation, and deciduous forest. Members of the Emergency Situations Sector, volunteer fire brigades, the Emergency Management Directorate, and Srbijašume are on the ground, and the operation is ongoing.

In the village of Gabrovnica, in the territory of the city of Zaječar, a fire that affected around 100 hectares has been brought under control. Due to the severity of the fire and the area affected, the deployed forces remain on the ground and are making every effort to extinguish the fire completely.

A total of 31 people were deployed to fight the fire, including 28 members of the Emergency Situations Sector with 12 vehicles and three Srbijašume employees with one vehicle.

A total of 217 firefighters and rescuers from the Emergency Situations Sector, drawn from 20 fire and rescue units—Pančevo, Belgrade, Smederevo, Zrenjanin, Kragujevac, Kikinda, Subotica, Sremska Mitrovica, Jagodina, Novi Sad, Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Kruševac, Čačak, Užice, Prijepolje, Niš, Šabac, Knjaževac, and Bor—are deployed at the fires in Šumarak (Deliblato Sands), Maglič, Stolovi, and Gabrovnica, with support from volunteer fire brigades, public companies, the Serbian Armed Forces, and other organizations.

Fire Approaches Šumarak Settlement; Homes at Risk

The fire has approached the Šumarak settlement, putting homes in serious danger. Residents have been evacuated, and according to locals, the situation on the ground is dramatic—the sky above the area “looks like it is on fire.”

 

Belgrade also shrouded in smoke

The wildfire that has been spreading through the Deliblato Sands for days shows no sign of easing, while an unpleasant smell and smoke have now reached Belgrade.

Residents across Belgrade report that the smell of smoke is strongly noticeable throughout the city, including the city center, Šumice, Vračar, and New Belgrade. The unpleasant smell of burning is also being reported in Lion, Mirijevo, and Karaburma.

Pančevo is also currently shrouded in smoke carried by the wind from the Deliblato Sands.

Strong winds hamper firefighting efforts; Residents help firefighters

Strong winds are making the situation in the Deliblato Sands more difficult, as the fire continues to spread and burning bark is being carried in all directions, creating a risk of the wildfire spreading further toward surrounding areas and the nearby weekend settlement.

Smoke has also blanketed the area around Kovin, while local residents are helping crews on the ground by bringing water and food to firefighters battling the blaze.

Emergency teams remain on the ground and are working to bring the fire under control.

Apocalyptic scenes in the Deliblato Sands

Mi-17 Helicopter deployed

A Mi-17 helicopter of the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence has been deployed since this morning to help fight the wildfire in the Deliblato Sands, while members of the Serbian Armed Forces have been on the ground since last night, the Ministry of Defence said.

According to the statement, the Serbian Armed Forces were called in to assist with firefighting at the request of the Emergency Situations Sector of the Ministry of the Interior.

Members of the Serbian Armed Forces are working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further, using firefighting vehicles, engineering machinery, and portable firefighting equipment.