Fire on Fortica brought under control, BiH Armed Forces helicopter remains on standby

(Patria) - The helicopter of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina also operated today, July 15, 2025, from the early morning hours on extinguishing the fire on Fortica hill near Mostar, in accordance with procedures for providing assistance to civilian institutions.

During yesterday, the helicopter from the 2nd Helicopter Squadron of the Air Force and Air Defense Brigade dropped a total of 31 buckets/tons of water. Today, firefighting operations continued, with the helicopter dropping an additional 11 buckets/tons of water.

According to information from the field, the fire has been successfully brought under control, and the helicopter has returned to its home base where it will continue to be on duty and standby for new tasks if needed.

It is important to emphasize how the mechanism for engaging the Armed Forces of BiH functions in such situations.

A request for engagement of the AF BiH is initiated through local civil protection centers, which forward it to the Ministry of Security of BiH. This ministry then communicates with the Ministry of Defense of BiH, which, with the approval of the Presidency of BiH, issues an order for engagement.

The Armed Forces of BiH do not act on their own initiative, but solely based on official requests and in accordance with legal regulations.

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain committed to their mission of supporting civilian structures in the fight against natural disasters, with the aim of protecting the lives of citizens, their property, and the environment.