TRNINIĆ: WILDFIRE SITUATION IMPROVES, TREBINJE STILL HARDEST HIT

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, AUGUST 22 /SRNA/ — The wildfire situation in Republika Srpska is slightly better this morning than over the previous two days, while the most difficult situation remains in the Trebinje area, acting director of the Republika Srpska Civil Protection Administration Boris Trninić told SRNA.

He noted that fires are also active in Nevesinje, Bileća, Bijeljina, Zvornik and Srebrenica. Although extensive damage has been caused to forests, there has been no damage to buildings and, most importantly, there have been no injuries or fatalities.

"I must commend all firefighters in Republika Srpska who have been battling the wildfires for days and making extraordinary efforts to bring them under control," Trninić stressed.

He said that at one point around 80 firefighters, a large number of vehicles and a helicopter operated by the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior's Aviation Unit were deployed in Trebinje.

He added that a team from the Republika Srpska Civil Protection Administration had also been deployed to install a water tank and oversee its refilling. A water intake point was positioned as close as possible to the fire in order to reduce the helicopter's flight time.