VUKADIN: ALL FIRES UNDER CONTROL, INACCESSIBLE TERRAIN HAMPERING FIRE-FIGHTING EFFORTS

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ – Fires in the areas of mounts Romanija and Trebević have been localized, but inaccessible terrain is hampering fire-fighting, Njegoš Vukadin, the commander of the Istočno Sarajevo Territorial Fire and Rescue Unit, told SRNA.

Vukadin said that firefighters battled the fire on Mount Romanija until 10:00 p.m. last night, while smoke was spotted this morning within the burned area.

"The area is extensive, and because of the inaccessible terrain, it is difficult to extinguish everything, as we cannot reach the sites with our vehicles," Vukadin said.

He recalled that a fire has been active since yesterday in the Federation-controlled part of Trnovo, where the flames approached a mined area, further complicating fire-fighting efforts.

He said they were assisting their colleagues from the Federation of BiH in extinguishing this fire to the extent possible.

Vukadin stressed that a fire has been smoldering for days in inaccessible terrain in Gornja Sjetlina, in the Pale area, but that firefighters are preventing it from spreading.

He emphasized that neither a large area of forest nor buildings are at risk from these fires.

"There are many sites, we are spread out, and in addition to that, we have to keep teams at the stations. We are receiving a great deal of assistance from the forestry service and mountain rescue services," Vukadin said, adding that the problem is that none of these fires can be reached by vehicles.

Vukadin said they are working to keep all fire sites under control and expressed hope that the forecast rain would help extinguish them.