Rtanj Fire Near Peak: Firefighters From Three Towns Respond

Flames tore through vegetation on Mount Rtanj in eastern Serbia during the afternoon and evening of September 18. The fire spread across the area around the mountain’s peak, on the border between the towns of Boljevac and Sokobanja.

In brief

• Fire broke out on September 18, in the area around the peak of Rtanj
• Vegetation caught fire on the border of Boljevac and Sokobanja
• Firefighters from Boljevac and Zajecar are on the scene, according to Niske Novine, along with crews from Sokobanja
• Sources disagree on when the fire was reported, some say around 6 p.m., others only that it happened in the afternoon
• As of late evening, no official figures on the burned area had been released
• Locals are asking for a helicopter because of how close the fire is to a pine forest

Sources disagree on exactly when the fire was reported. Niske Novine and the Bor 030 news site say firefighters were alerted around 6 p.m. Kurir, Republika and IST Media state only that the fire broke out in the afternoon, without giving a specific time, and Telegraf and Srbija Danas likewise report it without an hour attached.

Accounts also differ on which crews were sent to the scene. According to Niske Novine, firefighting and rescue units from Zajecar, Boljevac and Sokobanja are all involved, meaning all three towns around the mountain. Kurir, Republika and IST Media mention only the crews from Boljevac and Zajecar, leaving out the third. None of the available sources have published an estimate of how many firefighters or vehicles have been deployed.

The flames were visible from a distance, Republika reports, both from the direction of Sokobanja and from Boljevac. Photos from the scene circulated mostly through social media, while the relevant authorities had issued no official statement on the progress of the firefighting effort as of late in the evening of September 18. No figures on how much area had burned by that point were released either.

Why are locals asking for a helicopter?

Locals, cited by Kurir, Republika and IST Media, fear that if the fire crosses the ridge of Rtanj, it could reach a stretch of pine forest they consider the most beautiful part of the mountain. The ridge separates the area around the peak from the more heavily forested part of the mountain, so locals see it crossing as a turning point in how far the fire could spread.

That is why they are hoping for a helicopter that could draw water for firefighting from the nearby Vrmdzansko Lake. As of late in the evening of September 18, there was no information that such air support had arrived on the scene, nor was it clear whether the request had been formally submitted to the relevant authorities or only voiced to the media.

Rtanj stretches across the municipalities of Boljevac and Sokobanja and ranks among the more recognizable mountains in eastern Serbia. It is known for its distinctive ridge and the Siljak peak, a favorite destination for hikers and nature lovers. Part of the mountain is under protection as a natural asset because of its ecological value.

Based on the available sources, it is not possible to determine whether any of the surrounding villages were in immediate danger, nor exactly how much area has burned so far. As of the early morning hours of September 19, no report had been issued on whether the fire was contained or extinguished. There is also no information about anyone injured or about material damage. Firefighting crews continued working through the evening of September 18, and the relevant authorities had not released even a rough estimate of how much vegetation had been affected by that point.

The Srpske portal has not previously reported on this fire. We will publish information on the firefighting effort and any damage as soon as the relevant authorities make it public.