[INTERNATIONAL] · Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro · 100 sources

started about 2 months ago · updated about 1 month ago

Part of situation: Weather transition and extreme weather risks in Balkans (57 clusters)

Balkan region faces severe heatwaves and widespread wildfires

wildfires heatwave firefighting aircraft emergency response extreme weather

Multiple Balkan and Mediterranean regions are facing severe weather conditions, characterized by extreme heatwaves and widespread wildfires. In Greece, temperatures have climbed above 40 degrees Celsius, prompting high fire risk classifications and the deployment of 110 drones for 24-hour surveillance.

In North Macedonia, the Crisis Management Center reported 29 fires within a 24-hour period, with 25 successfully extinguished and three remaining active in municipalities including Studeničani, Gostivar, and Čaška. Meanwhile, in Montenegro, firefighters are battling an active blaze in the Cetinje municipality that threatens residential areas in Bijele Poljane and Čumovice.

In Serbia, a Russian Ilyushin firefighting aircraft has been deployed to combat various blazes, including those in Deliblatska Peščara and Vranje. The aircraft has completed 22 sorties, discharging approximately one million liters of water to assist local emergency services.

Entities

Albania · Anastasia Tyraki · Balkans · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Crisis Management Center · Croatia · Cyprus · EMY · European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts · European Public Health Organization · Fire Service · General Secretariat for Civil Protection

Claims

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

[● 3 SOURCES] The Fire Service is on high alert due to high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity.
[● 3 SOURCES] There have been 308 arrests related to fire cases since the beginning of the year.
[● 3 SOURCES] Of the 308 arrests, 272 were due to negligence and 36 were due to intent.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Fire Service is utilizing 110 drones for 24-hour surveillance of sensitive areas and forest ecosystems.
[● 2 SOURCES] The service has strengthened the Arson Crimes Directorate and its 37 specialized teams.
[● 2 SOURCES] The Governor of Epirus has activated a decision prohibiting the transit, stay, and movement of citizens, excursions, and all types of vehicles and machinery in Natura areas, forest ecosystems, parks,.
[● 2 SOURCES] Violators of the movement restrictions face an administrative fine of 300 euros.
[● 2 SOURCES] The transit, stay, and movement of persons and vehicles in the peri-urban Kouri Grove of Kozani is prohibited on Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 to 22:00.
[● 2 SOURCES] The risk of fire in the Ioannina Regional Unit is classified as high (category 3) for Saturday.
[● 2 SOURCES] The fire danger index for the Kozani area is set at category 3.
[● 2 SOURCES] NASA analysis suggests current heat patterns could be linked to approximately 10,000 additional deaths in Europe.
[● 3 SOURCES] A high fire risk (Category 3) is predicted for Saturday, August 22, 2026, in several areas of Greece.