Romania. Wetland reserve has completely dried up. “Now all we can do is plow it up”

High thermometer readings have been maintained in Romania since June, when the first heatwave of the 2024 season was recorded there. Two more hit the country in July – for 20 days, the temperature in more than half of the country exceeded 35 degrees Celsius. The heat was accompanied by a lack of rainfall, which led to a serious water shortage.

The situation is difficult in the vicinity of Brasov, in the huge nature reserve of the Carpathian Delta. This area plays an important role for many species of birds, which stop there during spring and autumn migrations. This year, however, black storks and ruffs are in for an unpleasant surprise – the lakes and wetlands have completely dried up. The bottom of the empty reservoirs is covered with dead fish and mussels.

– Now we can only plow it and nothing more, a Brasov resident told Reuters.

Dry conditions increase the risk of fires. A fire broke out in the Maramures district in the north of the country on Saturday. The fire spread very quickly, burning through more than 500 hectares of green areas and damaging several buildings. On Saturday evening, 90 residents of towns located on the fire's route and guests of one guesthouse had to be evacuated. On Sunday, firefighters extinguished the last hot spots.

Local media have assessed it as the largest or “one of the largest” fires in Romania in recent years. Firefighters from several districts were sent to extinguish the fire, as well as Black Hawk helicopters purchased from Poland. A C-27J Spartan belonging to the Ministry of Defence, which can carry 6,000 litres of water at a time, was also deployed. The cause of the fire has not yet been announced, but it was most likely caused by illegal stubble burning.