SITUATION STABLE AT FIRE SITES, FIREFIGHTERS FROM SRPSKA AND FBiH EXPECTED TO HELP

TREBINJE, AUGUST 29 /SRNA/ — The situation at fire sites near Trebinje is stable, crews are on the ground, and assistance from firefighting units from across Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH is expected, as a state of emergency remains in effect in part of the city, Stevan Bekan, head of Trebinje’s Emergency Situations Headquarters, said in a statement to SRNA.

He said the night passed peacefully, although smoke can still be seen near the Obodina landfill, where a helicopter operated.

Bekan stressed that it was important to address the situation in the Obodina area and prevent smoke from spreading across the city, adding that a helicopter from the Republika Srpska Ministry of Internal Affairs was also in Trebinje this morning and was ready to intervene if necessary.

He said the situation was stable in the Golo Brdo area, where a helicopter belonging to the Armed Forces of BiH also intervened last night, providing significant assistance.

Bekan emphasized that people’s lives and property are not at risk, which is the most important thing, but said the damage was extensive, with approximately 92 square kilometers of land affected by the fires.

He thanked everyone helping to extinguish the fires that have been burning in the area around Trebinje for days.

The City of Trebinje declared a state of emergency yesterday in the local communities of Zupci and Obodina due to active fires that were spreading rapidly because of strong winds. /end/sab/mđ/nm