[INTERNATIONAL] · Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina · 56 sources

started 2 days ago · updated about 1 hour ago

Part of situation: Balkan utility outages and extreme heat persist (49 clusters)

Balkan heatwave triggers extreme weather alerts and wildfires FAST-MOVING

heatwave extreme temperatures wildfires meteorological warnings Balkans

A severe heatwave is impacting much of the Balkan region, with extreme temperatures and associated risks of wildfires and public health emergencies.

In Serbia, the Republic Hydrometeorological Service (RHMZ) has issued a red meteo-alarm due to extreme heat, with temperatures in central and southern regions expected to reach up to 42 degrees Celsius. The heatwave is accompanied by a high risk of open fires and potential impacts on critical infrastructure. A temperature drop is forecasted for the north and west of Serbia starting Saturday.

Romania is facing significant heat stress, with the National Administration of Meteorology (ANM) issuing orange and yellow warnings across numerous counties. Temperatures in some areas are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with high heat-humidity indices causing significant discomfort.

Bulgaria has also activated yellow codes for dangerous heat across most of the country, with temperatures in the interior reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius, though coastal areas remain cooler. In North Macedonia, temperatures are forecasted to climb as high as 41 degrees Celsius, accompanied by potential thunderstorms and wind.

Additionally, wildfires continue to pose a threat in the region. In Serbia, firefighters are battling large fires in the Deliblatska Peščara area, aided by a Russian Ilyushin aircraft. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a long-running fire near Bosansko Grahovo has affected approximately 20 square kilometers, requiring aerial support from the country's armed forces.

Entities

Balkan Peninsula · Balkans · Bulgaria · Hydrometeorological Service (UHMR) · Marko Čubrilo · National Administration of Meteorology · National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology · North Macedonia · Republic Hydrometeorological Service · Republički hidrometeorološki zavod · Serbia

Claims

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

[● 2 SOURCES] Temperatures in North Macedonia are projected to reach 41 degrees Celsius on Saturday, August 22. 24-ore.com · telegrafi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Unstable weather conditions including strong winds, sudden rain, and storms are expected during the weekend. 24-ore.com · telegrafi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] North Macedonia is expected to experience an extreme heatwave through the weekend. 24-ore.com · telegrafi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Human lives have been saved and citizens' homes have been defended from the fire.
[● 2 SOURCES] The fire situation in the settlement of Grebenac is under control.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Russian aircraft unloads 42 tons of water during each flight over the affected area.
[○ 1 SOURCE] A special Russian Il-76 aircraft is participating in the firefighting efforts.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The city of Vršac is covered in ash and shrouded in smoke due to the Deliblatska Peščara fire.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Hydrometeorological Service (UHMR) issued an orange weather alert for North Macedonia. plusinfo.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] There is an extreme risk of wildfires due to prolonged drought and high temperatures. netnews.bg
[● 6 SOURCES] NIMH has issued a yellow code warning for dangerous heat across almost all of Bulgaria. trafficnews.bg · netnews.bg · podtepeto.com · clubz.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Temperatures in Sofia are expected to reach approximately 35 degrees Celsius. netnews.bg · www.actualno.com · clubz.bg