In recent days, a series of wildfires have swept through several Serbian villages, destroying large areas of forest and farmland and displacing residents whose homes were consumed by the flames.
Dragan Glamocic, Serbia’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Resources, stated that authorities are conducting a full assessment of the damage. Priority will be given to individuals and families who have lost their homes.
Among the areas hit hardest were villages such as Dubovo, Staro Momcilovo, Resinac, Zitni Potok, Konjarnik, Recica, and Lukomir, especially around Leskovac, the Slisane area near Lebane, and rural communities near Mount Radan and Bojnik. According to national broadcaster RTS, entire properties including homes, crops, and farming equipment have been destroyed.
“The Ministry has taken action, and we’ve also received support from donors. Our first concern is helping those who have been left without shelter,” said Glamocic. “One of the major problems was the number of vacant buildings. In areas where people were present to respond quickly, we managed to contain or extinguish the fire. But with villages increasingly empty across Serbia and even in other parts of Europe, the risk grows.”
He acknowledged Interior Minister Ivica Dacic’s statement that many of the fires were caused by human actions, noting that while this seems accurate, investigations are ongoing.
“There were incidents linked to human negligence, and even sparks from power lines contributed. On top of that, the current weather conditions — high temperatures and dry winds — are making things worse,” Glamocic warned.
He stressed the importance of fire prevention, stating that everyone involved must fulfill their responsibilities. “Open flames should never be lit in unprotected or uncontrolled areas,” he added.
A government task force has been assembled to evaluate and manage the consequences. “We’ll meet with officials from affected municipalities on Monday to review procedures. Our teams are already on the ground,” Glamocic said. “Some people lost everything in one night. It’s heartbreaking. But the majority of fires struck uninhabited areas, which means the total damage may be less severe than first thought.”
The minister also warned that some may try to misuse the situation. “That’s why the commission needs time to verify all reports thoroughly. Our focus will be on genuine victims. We’ll work out how much the state will fund and what can be covered by donations—for instance, how to assist those who lost livestock in barn fires,” he explained.
Commenting on the National Bank’s forecast of a potentially poor agricultural year, Glamocic said that no farming season is ever the same, and the sector requires long-term planning.
“Right now, the heat is extreme and unpredictable. Irrigation alone can’t solve the entire issue—especially with strong, hot winds. We’ll keep evaluating the situation week by week,” he said.
He also confirmed that the African swine fever outbreak is under control. “We’ve responded effectively, and I urge farmers to remain cautious and follow safety protocols. We need to learn to live with these extreme challenges,” Glamocic concluded.
