A national park in Romania has been burning for a month and a half. Two helicopters from the rescEU reserve will be deployed starting Tuesday

Two forest fires affected the Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park area in Caraș-Severin County this summer. The first fire, which broke out on August 9 and was extinguished on August 25, affected approximately 37 hectares. Extinguishing the fires, located in rugged and hard-to-reach mountainous terrain, took 14 days and involved ground and aerial operations.

Helicopters of the General Aviation Inspectorate carried out 676 water drops, while IGSU firefighters, members of volunteer services, forestry workers and representatives of the park administration took part in the operations.

On September 2, a second fire broke out in the same area and continues to burn. So far, more than 270 firefighters, forestry workers and park administration employees have worked to contain the fires. Helicopters carried out 514 water drops during 25 missions, with nearly 155 flight hours.

According to the Băile Herculane Forestry District, the area affected by the second fire is estimated at approximately 400 hectares. Prolonged drought, dry vegetation and rocky terrain are hampering the response. On September 29, two helicopters, including one from the rescEU reserve, will support the ground teams.