Suva Planina wildfire contained after 22 days
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic: the wildfire near the village of Veta on Suva Planina, burning since September 4, was contained on September 26 with no injuries and no property at risk.
Firefighters from the Interior Ministry’s Sector for Emergency Management contained a wildfire on September 26 that had broken out on September 4 in the fields of the village of Veta near Bela Palanka, on Suva Planina. Grass, low vegetation, fallen leaves and downed trees burned through the forest, and the firefighting effort lasted 22 days.
Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, said no one was hurt during the intervention and that there are no more open flames or threatened buildings in the area, although crews are continuing to put out remaining hot spots.
How the fire timeline unfolded
The fire broke out on September 4. Four days later, on September 8, a state of emergency was declared for part of the territory of the City of Nis, the Nis Banja municipality, because the flames kept spreading.
“This fire started in the fields of the village of Veta near Bela Palanka, after which, on September 8, a state of emergency was also declared for part of the territory of the City of Nis, the Nis Banja municipality, because of the fire on Suva Planina, in order to prevent the open-air fire from spreading further and to protect property, as well as because of the threat to the environment,” Dacic said.
How many people and how much equipment were involved
According to the Ministry of Interior (MUP), 23 organizations took part in the firefighting effort, with around 950 people and 468 vehicles. Air support further reinforced the operation.
“A total of 23 organizations were engaged in fighting the fire on Suva Planina, with around 950 people and 468 vehicles. I would also point out that five helicopters of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia flew a total of 55 sorties over three days, and that an Ilyushin aircraft carried out a total of 19 sorties over the burned area,” Dacic said, adding that crews on the ground will continue their watch and keep patrolling the area.
Alongside firefighter-rescuers and pilots from the MUP’s Helicopter Unit, the intervention also involved:
- volunteer firefighting associations
- employees of the state forestry company Srbijasume and public utility companies
- members of the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Center
- mountaineering and hunting associations and motorcycle clubs
- residents of villages around Suva Planina
Dacic singled out everyone who took part in the effort for thanks.
“Your courage, dedication and professionalism have shown what true solidarity means,” Dacic said, addressing the firefighter-rescuers, police officers, civil protection members and volunteers.
MUP forces remain on the ground, and watch duty and patrols of the burned area continue.
