Firefighters are responding in Bihor and Vâlcea, where forest fires have engulfed dozens of hectares

Two major fires broke out Saturday afternoon in forest areas in the counties of Bihor and Vâlcea, affecting approximately 25 hectares near the town of Mizieș and threatening to spread because of strong winds.

In Bihor, the fire was reported at around 2 p.m., and the flames engulfed approximately 25 hectares of forest. Firefighters from the Beiuș Section and Ștei Station are responding with five crews, supported by volunteers from the Drăgănești Voluntary Service for Emergency Situations. According to the Bihor County Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the fire has not reached residential areas so far.

The operation is difficult because the wind is changing direction and aiding the spread of the fire. Crews are working to contain and extinguish the hotspots.

Another fire broke out in the forest area of Vaideeni, Vâlcea County, along the Balota route. Military firefighters from the Bunești Work Point and the Râmnicu Vâlcea Fire Department are responding at the scene with two firefighting vehicles, alongside forces from the Vaideeni Voluntary Service for Emergency Situations. A crew with a drone was also deployed for aerial reconnaissance.

The operations are taking place as almost the entire country is under a yellow heatwave warning, while temperatures in Banat and Oltenia may reach 36 degrees Celsius at the upper end of the range expected during the heatwave warning period. In Banat and Oltenia, temperatures may reach 36 degrees Celsius at the upper end of the range expected during the heatwave warning period.