Fire in Srebrenica area spreading on steep terrain, helicopter assistance expected

(Patria) - A forest fire that broke out a few days ago in the "Drina" National Park in the Luka village area of Srebrenica municipality continues to spread through inaccessible terrain, steep slopes, and cliffs above Perućac Lake on the Drina River, confirmed to Srna by the Territorial Firefighting Unit of Srebrenica.

Firefighters say it is impossible to extinguish this fire from the ground because the terrain is inaccessible and dangerous for people, as well as for accessing equipment.

The fire is affecting conifers and low vegetation.

Director of the National Park, Radomir Pavlović, says they have requested assistance and expect helicopters from the Helicopter Service of Republika Srpska and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the firefighting efforts today.

The Head of Social Affairs of Srebrenica municipality, Adem Mehmedović, told Srna that he returned from the fire scene last night, where firefighters, forestry workers, National Park staff, and locals are on duty during the night, and that the fire continues to spread through inaccessible terrain towards the Drina River and is spreading through wilderness and cliffs upstream, where there is no possibility of extinguishing it.

"We have declared a state of emergency for the Luka local community. This morning, we sent machinery towards the village to plow roads and create firebreaks in case the fire moves towards the village. We have also prepared facilities for the potential evacuation of the population if necessary, as there is a danger of a large amount of smoke in the village," Mehmedović stated.

He emphasized that the involvement of helicopters from the Armed Forces of BiH in extinguishing this fire is expected today.

Srebrenica firefighters, who are continuously on the ground, along with forestry and National Park workers, as well as a group of locals, are working to stop and prevent the spread of the fire when it approaches accessible terrain, and they are not allowing the fire to spread.