Fires are currently burning in three places around Split-Dalmatia County.
There are currently more than 200 firefighters at the scene of the fires around Dalmatia and it is still unclear if military assistance will be needed today. There are currently Canadairs at the scene, and Žrnovnica, Tugare, Strožanac and Srinjine saw no major problems overnight, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on July 19, 2017.
Here’s a rundown of today’s events.
Around 1 am this morning, concerned citizens reported that the fire was once again smoldering at Karepovac, leaving the neighborhood with a stench of burning garbage. After the Duty Service was contacted, they ensured the public that there were no new fires at Karepovac but that the situation could be harmful.
Around 7 am this morning, a thick cloud of smoke formed above the areas of Kila and Karepovac that covered the wider Split area. Citizens were advised to close their windows and turn on their air conditioning systems.
At 7:20 this morning, the County Fire Department confirmed that there were no major problems in the areas of Žrnovica, Tugare, Strožanac and Srinjine overnight, although there was still a visible cloud of smoke.
The citizens of Split continued to worry about the stench and smoke that clouded the city this morning, but Center 112 ensured citizens not to worry. “The quality of air in Split this morning is of satisfactory quality and there is no danger to the citizens. We are constantly monitoring the situation and are performing measurements. If the situation gets worse, the public will be warned in a timely manner,” said Mate Herceg from the County Center 112. One Canadair was also sent to look over Karepovac.
Canadairs continued to monitor the areas of Srinjine, Tugare, and Mosor, and meteorologists warned that Dalmatia could be in great danger once again next week as temperatures are expected to rise with dry and hot air.
Around 9 am, the Institute of Public Health assured citizens once again that the air in Split is of quality, and that over the last 24 hours, the concentration of monitored gas never exceeded the threshold limit value. Shortly thereafter, the thick cloud of smoke and smell around Karepovac cleared up and moved towards the eastern part of the city.
At 11 am, it was confirmed that Split-Dalmatia County was currently burning in three places, affecting 300 hectares of pine trees, juniper, maquis, grass, and shrubs. The three fires on Hvar, Klis, and Radošić have been localized.
While flames had sparked up again in Žrnovica just before 11 am between houses, the rapid intervention of firefighters quickly extinguished them.
At 12:30, it was confirmed that there was no longer much smoke on Mosor and that the Canadairs have put out the fire in Dugobabe.
From the active fires, the most problematic area currently is near Šestanovac.
This is a developing story, more information soon.
