Yet another wildfire in Dalmatia this morning.
A fire began this morning on the island of Hvar near Stari Grad, reports Dalmacija Danas on August 21, 2017.
UPDATE:
16:58 - By a ferry at 16:30, as announced, 10 firetrucks and 37 firefighters from the Split area set off to Stari Grad for assistance.
15:25 - The wind from the western direction has suddenly strengthened. Firemen on the ground said that the situation is getting worse.
“We first had the tramontana wind, and now it is the maestral. The fire is growing at an incredible speed. The situation does not look so promising,” said firefighters from Hvar.
15:01 - The fire is said to have burned around 80 hectares.
Commander of the DVD Stari Grad Antoni Ivanković:
“After 14:00 the bura ceased, but then the maestral wind picked up, which could bring new problems to the fire. The eastern part of the fire is under control, but further problems can occur in the western part of the fire. There are 2 helicopters at the scene,” said Ivanković.
“At 16:30, the arrival of 8 fire trucks from the county and twenty firefighters is expected. This will be of great help in the remediation of the fire. At the moment, 62 firefighters from the DVDs of Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa are on the ground with 15 vehicles,” added Ivanković.
13:51 - Most of the air support has left, one MORH helicopter remained active. The fire is put out, for the most part.
13:35 - According to reports from readers in Stari Grad, the situation is much better than an hour ago. The significant smoke cloud above the fire is no longer visible and the last Canadair has left the fire.
12:25 - There are two MORH helicopters in the firefight. Meanwhile, two more Canadairs arrived.
View from Selca by Goat Shedderd
12:19 - The first Canadair arrived. Sirens heard in Stari Grad. New fire brigade forces arrive from Hvar.
12:09 - Three Canadairs have been sent. All firefighters from the island are on the ground
The fire sparked in the area of Tiha Bay on the Kabal Peninsula and is spreading rapidly due to strong gusts of bura wind. The fire can also be seen from Split.
There are currently 30 firefighters on the ground with hopes of air support soon.
Photos by Paul Bradbury
“We arrived on the ground this morning. At one time we had it, but then the fire spread again with the help of the bura wind. We have firefighters from the DVDs of Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa, which include 30 firefighters and 10 vehicles. Thick pine forests and low vegetation are burning. For now, no facilities are in danger. Canadairs are expected, but we do not know when they will be able to take off because of the bura wind,” said Antoni Ivanković, the commander of DVD Stari Grad.
Seen from Split by Daniela Rogulj
Dalmacija Danas also reported that this same area was burning yesterday, stopped, and started again today.
A series of fires were recorded on the island of Hvar in the last 24 hours, including near Dubovica, in Gdinj along the road, last night at the bay of Tiha, and in a yard in the village of Brusje.
Photo by Paul Bradbury
More information soon.
Translated from Dalmacija Danas
