Military helicopter, Serbian Armed Forces personnel join firefighting efforts in Deliblato

BELGRADE - A Serbian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter joined firefighting efforts in the Deliblato Sands, northern Serbia, on Friday morning after Serbian Armed Forces personnel were deployed on the ground on Thursday night, the MoD said in a statement.

It said the Serbian Armed Forces had joined the efforts following a request by the Interior Ministry's Emergencies Sector.

In a bid to contain wildfires, the army personnel are using firefighter vehicles, engineering machinery and makeshift firefighting tools.

The fires have engulfed large swaths of pine forests and undergrowth, and high temperatures, wind and complex conditions on the ground are making firefighting difficult, increasing the risk of the fires reigniting and spreading.

An Interior Ministry helicopter unit, voluntary firefighting societies and employees of the Vojvodina sume public enterprise are also involved in the firefighting efforts, coordinated by the Emergencies Sector, the statement said.