Serbian emergency crews are battling renewed wildfire threats amid extreme heat and dry conditions, as Russia deployed a specialized firefighting aircraft to assist local authorities.
A Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, operated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, was sent to Serbia along with a crew and operational team following a request for assistance. The aircraft is designed for large-scale aerial firefighting and can deliver substantial quantities of water over burning areas.
Serbia has faced a particularly difficult wildfire season. Earlier this month, a major blaze swept through the Deliblatska Pescara nature reserve, a protected area northeast of Belgrade, burning hundreds of hectares of vegetation and forcing firefighters to deploy helicopters and extensive ground resources.
During the wider outbreak, Serbian authorities reported 25 active forest fires, while one blaze in the Deliblatska area affected roughly 25 square kilometres. The European Union’s Copernicus satellite system has also been supporting wildfire mapping operations in Serbia and other affected European countries.
Extreme temperatures, prolonged drought and shifting winds have complicated firefighting operations across the Balkans. Similar conditions have contributed to major wildfires elsewhere in Europe this summer, placing emergency services across the continent under pressure.
The arrival of additional aerial support strengthens Serbia’s ability to attack difficult fire fronts from above while ground crews continue efforts to protect communities, forests and critical infrastructure.
