Serbian Firefighters Douse Wildfire in Deliblato Sands After Seven-Day Blaze

A fire blazing in Serbia’s Deliblato Sands for seven days has finally been brought under control, Milos Milenkovic, Assistant Head of Serbia’s Fire and Rescue Units Directorate told the state broadcaster RTS on Tuesday. The Deliblato Sands, Deliblatska Pescara in Serbian, is the largest continental sandy terrain in Europe, covering around 350 square km in southeast Vojvodina, Serbia’s northern province – a nature reserve nicknamed Europe’s Sahara. The wildfire broke out amid an intense heatwave and prolonged drought affecting Serbia and much of the Balkans, with temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius. The hot and dry conditions, coupled with strong winds, have significantly increased the risk of wildfires and complicated firefighting efforts. Two people attempting to fight the blaze at Deliblato Sands. Photo: Uros Arsic According to Milenkovic, the fire in the Deliblato Sands and another on Mt Stolovi, near the central town of Kraljevo, have not been spreading since Monday. “Most importantly, there are no residents or settlements at risk at either location, and protecting them remains our priority,” Milenkovic told RTS on Tuesday. Fires at Deliblato Sands. Photo: Uros Arsic Milenkovic added that the tough terrain is the main factor hampering firefighters’ work, as large parts of the Deliblato Sands are inaccessible to fire engines, trucks and even off-road vehicles. The cause of the fire still remains unknown and authorities have announced an investigation. Tackling the blaze in the forest at Dubovac. Photo: Uros Arsic Milenkovic explained that the sandy terrain also prevented firefighters from reaching the hotspots and directly tackling the flames. “The high concentration of smoke and combustion products, as well as the heat, are all factors making the operation more difficult. But no residents are at risk and there have been no fatalities,” he said. Locals providing aid in fighting fires at Deliblato Sands. Photo: Uros Arsic More than 1,500 hectares of forest and low vegetation have been burned in the special nature reserve, according to official data. The Deliblato Sands was not the only part of Serbia affected by fires. Major fires were also reported around Kraljevo, including on the Zaracke Mountains and Mt Stolovi, as well as in the Maglic-Usce area, while fires were reported around Zajecar and Knjazevac and on Stara Planina. “In the past two to three days alone, we have had more than 300 fires across Serbia,” said Luka Causic, the head of the Interior Ministry’s Emergency Situations Sector. Two men who participated in fighting the fires at Deliblato Sands. Photo: Uros Arsic Although the fire has been brought under control, firefighters, emergency services, forestry workers and volunteers remain on alert due to strong winds. Several settlements within the nature reserve, particularly Dubovac and Sumarak, were threatened by the fire but are now safe.