Fire on Pelješac: Houses burning, fire enters Orebić

OREBIĆ, (Patria) - A fire that around 8 a.m. engulfed a pine forest in the settlement of Mokalo near Orebić is spreading driven by strong wind. The county fire commander Stjepan Simović told Dalmacija Danas that the situation is problematic. The fire has reached the entrance to Orebić, and residents and tourists have been evacuated.

- The fire is active, spreading and has already covered a large area. A lot of work awaits us. All firefighters from Pelješac, JVP Slano and DVD Korčula are at the scene. Two Canadair aircraft have arrived, but due to the strong wind that is also hampering our firefighting efforts, they were unable to operate. A long day awaits us - Simović said, as reported by Index.

The State Fire Intervention Unit from Split (14 firefighters with 4 vehicles) and Šibenik (4 firefighters with 2 vehicles), as well as 50 members of the Croatian Army, who will be transported by 2 helicopters, have been dispatched to the fire site on Pelješac. One Canadair from Split has headed towards Pelješac to determine whether conditions exist for aerial firefighting.

In the village of Stankovići near Orebić, the fire has engulfed two houses. A gas station at the entrance to Orebić has been defended.