A wildfire has crossed into Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina near the Dinari mountain range, prompting a large-scale response involving Croatian firefighters and military personnel. The fire was detected on Saturday morning at 9:40 a.m. via a video surveillance system by the Šibenik-Knin County Fire Department Operational Center. It has since spread across open terrain and is still active, with efforts ongoing to contain it. Thirty-seven firefighters from public fire services in Šibenik, Knin, and the volunteer fire departments in Knin, Kijevo, and Sveti Juraj Kistanje have arrived at the scene, accompanied by 26 members of the Protipožarna Namjenski Organizirana Skupina (PNOS) of the Croatian Army. Two Canadian aircraft, CL-415s, have been deployed to assist in firefighting operations. The situation is described as difficult, particularly after Canadian aircraft left the area due to another fire in the Zadar hinterland. The blaze originated in Bosnia and Herzegovina before crossing over into Croatian territory. According to Darko Dukić, commander of the Šibenik-Knin County Fire Service Community, the situation at the fire site is challenging. He noted that the departure of the Canadian aircraft complicated matters further. Despite these difficulties, he emphasized that all available resources are being used to combat the fire. The fire has affected both sides of the border, with flames visible in areas around Strmica in Croatia and Unište in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the main fire on Dinari, another fire has erupted on the nearby island of Dugom Otok. This fire, which reignited earlier in the day, is currently burning at the top of a hill, with strong winds significantly complicating containment efforts. The wind has caused the fire to spread rapidly, covering a distance of 500 to 600 meters within five minutes. Firefighters are also responding to a major fire in the Galovac area, adding to the complexity of the situation. Both fires are considered serious, with more information expected later in the day. Another fire has broken out on the slopes of Mount Plješevica, located along the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This fire has spread into a heavily mined area, making direct access by firefighters dangerous. Local authorities have requested assistance from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are providing aerial support. Civil protection teams and forestry workers from Bihać have also joined the effort, positioning themselves in safe locations to prevent the fire from spreading further. The local government has assured residents that there is no immediate threat to populated areas and that there is no need for panic. On Dinari, a separate fire broke out near Polača, close to the Croatian-Bosnia and Herzegovina border. This fire, which started on August 14 from Bosnian territory, has moved onto Croatian land. It involves grass, low vegetation, and pine forest on rugged terrain. Nineteen firefighters with nine vehicles from the Intervention Fire Brigade Šibenik, Public Fire Brigade Knin, and Volunteer Fire Departments Knin, Kijevo, and Sveti Juraj Kistanje are working on the fire. Four Canadian aircraft are also assisting. Although the fire remains active, the situation is improving, with expectations that it will be under control by the end of the day. Tomo Medved, president of the Coordination for the National Security System, highlighted the extensive mobilization of personnel and resources as evidence of Croatia’s effective fire protection system. He noted that nearly 800 million euros have been invested in this system over the past decade. The current crisis underscores the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and preparedness to manage such incidents effectively.
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