Fire in Istria, water bombers extinguishing blaze near Pula

The aerial forces of the Firefighting Purpose-Organized Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, from the 93rd Air Base of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, have been engaged since this morning with two Canadair CL-415 aircraft in extinguishing a fire at the location of Marčana in Istria County, reports the Patria news agency.

In the fire in Mutvoranska Draga, 50 hectares of maquis, grass and low vegetation have burned since last night. Over 100 firefighters are on the ground. The wind is hampering their efforts, but two water bombers have arrived to assist, so they expect the fire to be brought under control soon. Smoke has spread as far as Pula, 20 km away.

Houses are not threatened, said the commander of the Pula firefighters, Klaudio Karlović, for HRT, adding that the cause of the fire is not yet known.