Alarming situation near Srebrenica: Fire approaching houses, evacuation of residents being prepared

(Patria) - The situation due to the fire in Luka near Srebrenica remains alarming. The extinguishing of the forest fire continued with the help of the RS Helicopter Service and a helicopter of the Armed Forces of BiH. However, it seems that too long was waited.

The situation is now critical, and if the fire is not brought under control by this evening, the evacuation of the population will follow.

The forest fire that broke out several days ago in the Drina National Park, near the village of Luka in the municipality of Srebrenica, continues to spread across inaccessible terrain. The fire is escaping control and approaching houses.

"The evacuation of the population has been ordered. By morning we will see what will happen. The population must be relocated to Srebrenica," said Muhamed Sinanović, a resident of the village of Luka.

The situation is critical, the village is in a ring of fire, and the length of the fire line is 15 km. Machinery from the Municipality of Srebrenica is on the ground, creating a firebreak to protect the village from one side.

"We are maximally engaged, the maximum number of firefighters is on the line, with several vehicles. We are exhausted to the maximum. We are on duty 24 hours a day," said Mujo Hasanović, deputy commander of the Srebrenica Fire Department.

Residents of the village of Luka are trying to fight the fire with rakes and shovels as it gradually moves up the hill towards their village. The arrival of helicopter reinforcements from Serbia has also been announced. The position of the Minister of Defense of BiH, Zukan Helez, is that local authorities in the RS requested the engagement of the Armed Forces of BiH helicopters too late.

"Helicopters of the Armed Forces, with the approval of the Presidency of BiH, have been engaged in extinguishing fires at two locations, namely on the territory of Srebrenica and Rudo. The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces will, in the coming period, make all their resources available to assist civilian government structures, i.e., citizens of BiH, which we are obliged to do under the Defense Law, in accordance with our capacities," stated Aleksandar Goganović, Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH.

In previous days, the RS Helicopter Service and helicopters of the Armed Forces of BiH were active. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in the local community of Luka. Another sleepless, uncertain night lies ahead for the residents of the Srebrenica villages.