CRO GOVT. GIVES FIVE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES TO FIRE-FIGHTERS IN DALMATIA

DRNIS, July 7 (Hina) - Five vehicles for fighting fire, which the Croatian Government donated to fire-fighters in the areas of Sibenik and Zadar (Dalmatia), were handed over to local fire- fighters on Friday in the village of Sedramic. Interior Minister Sime Lucin, who presented the all-terrain vehicles, toured the fire-hit areas in the Drnis area and visited the newly-established operative headquarters for co-ordinating efforts to put Dalmatian forest fires out. Headquarters representatives informed Minister Lucin that most fires in this part of Croatia were brought under control of fire- fighters. The minister commended them for their courage and endeavours in fighting the fires. According to the Croatian National Information Centre, fires are still posing a threat to forests in the central and south Dalmatian coastal area and hinterland. A few fires that are burning in a southern area of Bosnia- Herzegovina, have passed the border in the Dubrovnik hinterland and also represent a threat. On Friday morning two fires broke out in the area of Sinj (Split hinterland). As they are spreading in the mine-infested area where a separation line used to be between local Serb rebels and Croatian authorities, firefighters could not be engaged but fire-fighting helicopters and planes are being used for extinguishing them. (hina) jn ms