Nearly 100 people were evacuated Sunday in Maramures County in northern Romania due to a wildfire. The blaze engulfed several buildings but was extinguished, local media reported.
The fire of dried vegetation started in the area of Lapusel, Coltau and Ariesu de Padure, and then spread rapidly. Several buildings were damaged. The evacuation of 90 residents was necessary, reported Digi24 television.
The fire has spread over 500 hectares. The head of the Department of Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (DSU) Raed Arafat said the fire has been brought under control.
One of the biggest fires in years
The media estimates that this is one of the largest fires or even the largest fire in Romania in recent years. Firefighters from several districts were sent to extinguish the fire, as well as Black Hawk helicopters purchased from Poland. The Ministry of Defense provided a C-27J Spartan aircraft, which can carry six thousand liters of water at a time.
In addition to the DSU forces, military aircraft were also deployed to combat the fire. 250 Romanian firefighters and 40 firefighters from neighboring countries fought the fire.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it was most likely caused by illegal stubble burning.
Main image source: Reuters