Wildfire near Băile Herculane / Three Black Hawk helicopters respond

Vegetation and forest fires in the counties of Caraș-Severin and Vâlcea continue to mobilize significant ground and air forces. In the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park area, near Băile Herculane, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) supplemented the response on Wednesday with a third Black Hawk helicopter to extinguish the fire hotspots and provide rapid access for teams in the difficult terrain.

The previous day, two helicopters belonging to the General Aviation Inspectorate carried out 77 water drops, totaling approximately 200,000 liters, drawing water from Lake Prisaca. The aircraft also operated in the Piatra Spartă Peak area, where water was directed toward the fire front and the flanks along its path of spread.

The three helicopters, equipped with Bambi Bucket systems, are carrying out reconnaissance and firefighting missions, as well as transporting firefighters to sectors that are difficult to access. More than 140 firefighters, pilots, and employees of the Băile Herculane Forestry District and the national park administration are participating in the operations.

In Vâlcea County, the fire near the town of Băile Olănești continues to burn across several hotspots upstream from Iezer Monastery, toward the Buila-Vânturarița massif. The fire is affecting fallen trees, peat, and the leaf layer. More than 40 firefighters and employees of forestry and rescue services are operating in the area. On Wednesday, two C-27J Spartan aircraft carried out five water drops over the active hotspots.