Underground fire affects 30 hectares in Romania’s Lunca Mureșului Natural Park

Video 19 August 2026 An underground fire burning in the dried-up bed of the Mureșul Mort River has affected approximately 30 hectares of forest in western Romania’s Lunca Mureșului Natural Park. The blaze began in 2025 and expanded this summer amid prolonged drought and wind, according to state forestry company Romsilva. The initial fire covered around 200 square meters last year and was contained at the time. It began spreading again in June, with the entire affected forest area located within the protected natural site. “The underground fire in the bed of the Mureșul Mort River continues to be active even after rainfall over the past 48 hours, indicating that the burning persists underground,” Romsilva said. Authorities in Arad county have established a working group to manage the situat