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2026-08-07 15:38 UTC → 2026-08-08 00:25 UTC ·
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Serbian wildfires August 2026 – expanding emergencies emergency declared
The wildfires that ignited on On 5 August 2026 a fire ignited near Luchica and quickly spread rapidly across Serbia, engulfing affecting the Deliblatska sand‑dune reserve, the Ibar gorge, a landfill in Bačka Palanka and villages south of Leskovac. Initial response efforts involved over 80 personnel, three Ministry of Interior helicopters (Ka‑32, H‑145, H‑215 Super Puma) and heavy helicopters, ground equipment. A crews and volunteers, and a man died was reported dead after allegedly starting the blaze, prompting public warnings against open flames. blaze. Later that day officials confirmed that the Deliblatska fire had burned 500‑700 ha of pine and low vegetation, leading to an emergency declaration same day authorities declared emergencies in Kovin municipality. Dozens of firefighters, forest workers, volunteers municipality and the three helicopters were mobilised, supported by additional air assets. The Bačka Palanka landfill as the Deliblatska fire produced thick smoke over Sremska Mitrovica and entered its third state of emergency this year, tackled with high‑pressure water jets. In western Serbia, a wildfire near Leskovac spread grew to over 700 ha, making it the villages of Razgojna, Grdanica and Donja Lokošnica, prompting urgent public warnings. The Ibar gorge fire was later assessed at more than 150 ha largest of pine forest. nine active outdoor fires. The response also drew in army units, forest‑service personnel and volunteer brigades. Cross‑border incidents included was scaled up to 126 firefighters, 27 vehicles, a fire in Konjic, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, fought with an Air Tractor 72‑person Serbian Army special brigade, volunteers from Vojvodinašuma, and additional aerial assets—including a Bosnian army helicopter, police helicopter and a waste fire military helicopter. No houses were lost and no casualties were reported. Strong winds, temperatures near 40 °C and rugged terrain limited ground operations. Parallel incidents were reported in Mursko Središće, Croatia, requiring about 300 litres of water. Regional fire‑risk agencies Bosnia‑Herzegovina (Konjic), Croatia (Mursko Središće) and other Serbian regions such as the Ibar gorge. The European Forest Fire Information System warned of an exceptionally high danger of new ignitions across the Balkans fire‑risk outlook for the next seven days due to heat, drought Balkans. President Aleksandar Vučić pledged army assistance, while Interior Minister Ivica Dačić confirmed police and strong winds. military deployment.