MORH: Die Hochsaison der Brandbekämpfung ist anspruchsvoller als in den Vorjahren

The Ministry of Defence (MORH) has confirmed that this year’s peak of the fire season has been more demanding than previous years, with air force personnel from the Firefighting Specialized Organized Units (PP NOS) operating under intense conditions. Commanding Officer of the 855th Firefighting Squadron, Colonel Milan Došen, stated that the current peak period, marked by a high number of fires, has placed greater demands on pilots, technicians, and aircraft compared to past seasons. He emphasized that the squadron is fully staffed and equipped to handle all tasks, both within Croatia and across Europe through the RescEU program. Between June 15 and July 21, pilots from the 855th Firefighting Squadron participated in firefighting operations for eight hours daily. They responded to 12 fires in the Šibenik-Knin County, 11 in the Split-Dalmatia County, seven in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, two in the Zadar County, and one in the Lika-Senj County. During July alone, they extinguished fires in Komiza on Vis, Ivan Dolac on Hvar, where four canisters were deployed in a single day, Blato on Korčula, where three canisters and one Air Tractor were used in a day, and Vinica near Trogir, Grebavci near Vodice, Vrpola in Šibenik-Knin County, and Metković. The squadron also conducted firefighting missions on Telašćica on the Brač Island and on the island of Mljet. In addition to active firefighting, the air force carried out 20 fire reconnaissance flights along the Croatian coast to identify potential risk areas and prevent the spread of possible fires. From the start of the second phase of the fire season, a total of 2,508 flights were executed, resulting in 368 hours and 35 minutes of aerial engagement. Over 12,142 tons of water were dropped, nine people were evacuated, four tons of cargo were transported, and 8,394 liters of foam were used. This year, the Croatian Firefighters Association received 128 requests for firefighting support using aerial resources. A total of 3,019 flights were carried out, providing 447 hours and 20 minutes of aerial intervention. More than 14,367 tons of water were deployed, and 8,553 liters of foam were consumed, highlighting the scale and intensity of the interventions required. The data underscores the increased workload and complexity of this year's fire season, according to the Ministry of Defense statement. The 857th Firefighting Squadron was deployed twice during the operation, indicating the need for additional resources to manage the heightened demand. The squadron's experience, built over decades, combined with continuous training and upgrades, ensures readiness to respond effectively to all challenges. The unit's ability to operate efficiently in multiple regions, including remote islands, demonstrates its adaptability and capability to meet the evolving demands of the fire season. The Ministry of Defense continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that all necessary resources are available to address emerging threats. With the fire season still ongoing, further assessments will be made to determine whether additional measures are needed to maintain operational capacity. The data collected so far reflects the challenging nature of this year’s fire season and the critical role played by the air force in mitigating its impact.