Deliblato Sands wildfires threaten Serbian nature reserve

Deliblato Sands wildfires Serbia biodiversity loss emergency response

Massive wildfires are currently impacting the Deliblato Sands, a major European continental sand area and special nature reserve in Serbia. While official estimates from the Sector for Emergency Situations place the burned area at over 5,300 hectares, satellite data from EFFIS suggests the fire has affected more than 10,000 hectares, roughly one-third of the total area.

The situation is exacerbated by high temperatures, extreme drought, and strong winds. The fires have threatened rare forest vegetation, including oak-lime and white poplar forests, and have caused the evacuation of residents in the Kajtasovo settlement.

Firefighting efforts involve hundreds of personnel, including 632 volunteer firefighters from across Serbia, the Serbian Army, and specialized units. A Russian Ilyushin aircraft has also been deployed to assist in water drops. Government officials have stated that fire suppression is an absolute priority, with plans already being discussed for the revitalization of the area once the flames are contained.

Entities

Deliblato Sands · Deliblatska Peščara · European Forest Fire Information System · Luka Čaušić · Marinika Tepić · Mirjana Ćuk · Party of Freedom and Justice · Serbia · Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs · Serbian Progressive Party · Tijago Ferreira · Vojvodina šume

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The fire is threatening rare forest vegetation such as oak-lime and white poplar forests. autonomija.info · www.masina.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] An Ilyushin aircraft is being used to combat the wildfires. www.kurir.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] The fire has affected over 10,000 hectares of the Deliblato Sands. www.danas.rs · vreme.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Deliblato Sands covers approximately 35,000 hectares. autonomija.info · www.masina.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Serbian government has made fire suppression an absolute priority. www.nedeljnik.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Residents in the Kajtasovo settlement were evacuated due to the fire. www.espreso.co.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] Official estimates place the burned area at over 5,300 hectares. www.danas.rs · vreme.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 300 members of the Sector for Emergency Situations, the Serbian Army, and various companies are engaged in firefighting. www.nedeljnik.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] A Russian Ilyushin aircraft has been deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. bigportal.ba · www.kurir.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] The fire has affected an area spanning over 10,000 hectares, approximately one-third of the Deliblato Sands. www.danas.rs · vreme.com