Two helicopters and 100 members of the Armed Forces of BiH fighting the fire in Bileća and Bosansko Grahovo

Based on the indicated need and request of the Operational Communications Center - 112 (OKC-112) of the Ministry of Security of BiH, submitted today in the morning hours in accordance with prescribed procedures, the engagement of forces and assets of the Armed Forces of BiH was approved to provide assistance in extinguishing fires in the area of the municipalities of Bileća and Bosansko Grahovo, reports the Patria news agency.

Due to the inability of the local community to resist the strong fire with its own forces and assets, which has been spreading in these areas for several days due to extremely high temperatures and strong winds, and is increasingly threatening the local population and material goods, assistance from the Armed Forces of BiH was requested.

In the affected area and the fire zone, over 100 members of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Battalions/4th Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of BiH from Livno and Bileća, with appropriate fire protection and extinguishing equipment, will be engaged in the afternoon hours to provide assistance to Civil Protection authorities, firefighting units, and the local population. The deployment of Armed Forces of BiH members to the affected areas is currently underway.

In the late afternoon hours, one to two helicopters from the Air Force and Air Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of BiH will also be engaged to support the forces in the firefighting operation.

The Armed Forces of BiH are in constant readiness to be engaged, upon request from civilian authorities and the population, with all available forces and assets, within the scope of operational capacities and capabilities, to provide assistance to civilian authorities and the population in responding to such and similar crisis and emergency situations wherever necessary, the Ministry of Defense of BiH stated.