Firefighters' appeal: No barbecues, gatherings by fire, or fireworks!

(Patria) - Several fires have made life difficult for the citizens of Sarajevo and Vojkovići.

The one near Bijela tabija, in Vratnik, was extinguished last night, and the fire at the Krupačke stijene landfill, near Vojkovići, was extinguished during the day.

Smoke and an unpleasant smell were felt throughout Sarajevo, creating additional problems for citizens who have been struggling with the heat for days.

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Thick smoke covered parts of Sarajevo, firefighters on standby, Krupačke stijene landfill burning in RS

(Patria) - Parts of Ilidža, Stup, Dobrinja have been covered in smoke since morning, and breathing is difficult due to the large amount of smoke. The Professional Fire Brigade of KS told Patria that several citizens had called them, warning about the smoke, and they were aware of the situation.

Authorities are appealing to citizens to minimize outdoor activities.

To stop the spread of smoke and toxic particles, the landfill needs to be covered with soil. This is a job that could take several days.

- The fire was localized so it could not spread beyond the landfill in the early morning hours. We waited for the machinery, trucks, and equipment to arrive to start covering the landfill gradually - says Miroslav Prorok, commander of the Territorial Fire Unit of Istočno Sarajevo.

Director of JKP Nemanja Lučić points out that they have now started covering it with soil from excavations, as it is the only way to prevent smoke.

The smoke from this landfill indeed made life difficult for the citizens of Sarajevo and Istočno Sarajevo during the night and morning.

Clouds of smoke, a strong unpleasant odor, and significantly increased levels of PM10 and other particles were recorded in the settlements of Novi Grad and Ilidža, writes Federalna.ba.

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Air in Sarajevo extremely polluted!

(Patria) - The air in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely polluted this morning, especially in the municipalities of Novi Grad and Ilidža, following last night's fire at the landfill near Vojkovići. According to data from the Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton, in some areas...

The Public Health Institute of Sarajevo Canton also issued an appeal, urging citizens to reduce their time spent outdoors.

- Unlike winter pollution, here we also have hazardous compounds formed by the combustion of waste, dioxins, some heavy metals, mainly carcinogenic substances in the air - warns Zlatan Hamza, director of the Public Health Institute of KS.

Citizens hope that this situation will not last, as they say they are forced to go outside due to daily obligations.

The firefighters of the Professional Fire Brigade of Sarajevo also had their hands full. The fire in Vratnik was extinguished with a quick intervention.

While the fire at the Krupačke stijene landfill was likely caused by self-ignition, the one in Vratnik was allegedly due to human negligence.

The authorities have not denied this information, but they could not confirm it either. While the investigation is ongoing, they are appealing to citizens.

- I would ask fellow citizens, especially during this time - no open flames, no barbecues, no gatherings by fire, no fireworks.

So, all possible activities involving open flames should be forgotten - said Kemal Cacan, commander of the Professional Fire Brigade of Sarajevo.

Meteorologist Bakir Krajinović notes that the risks of fire are extremely high - along with drought and high air temperatures, and they threaten the entire territory of our country.

Warm weather is expected in the coming days, and therefore the Hydrometeorological Institute urges citizens to reduce their time spent outdoors, especially at the end of the week, when a yellow weather alert is also expected.