Wildfire in Bosnia burns about 14,000 hectares, Dalmatia shrouded in smoke
Two Croatian Canadair aircraft helped stop the advance toward Prozor‑Rama while the fire continues to burn some 14,000 hectares near Tomislavgrad.
A large wildfire that began in the Kupres area has expanded across parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, burning into the Tomislavgrad region and sending a heavy cloud of smoke over Croatia's Dalmatia coast.
The blaze first broke out on Friday in the village of Zvirnjača, in the Kupres municipality, and then spread toward Tomislavgrad and the municipality of Prozor‑Rama.
Aircraft and crews slow the advance toward villages
Two Croatian Canadair water‑bombers joined firefighters on the ground and on multiple fronts helped stop the fire from moving further into inhabited areas of Prozor‑Rama. During afternoon operations the aircraft concentrated on several active fire lines.
The situation remains far more serious around Tomislavgrad, where authorities estimate the fire has affected roughly 14,000 hectares. Fire brigades, civil protection teams, volunteers and heavy machinery are working on site, and crews are creating firebreaks to try to contain the flames.
Ivan Vukadin, head of the Government of Canton 10, said efforts are under way to hold the fire on two lines, while Tomislavgrad Mayor Ivan Buntić confirmed that assistance was requested from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed gratitude to the Croatian government and to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, saying the assistance demonstrates strong ties between the two countries and mutual solidarity.
Across the border in Croatia, Dalmatian towns — including Split — have been enveloped in smoke and a pervasive smell of burning as ash and haze drift in from the fires in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photo: Принтскрин
