ZAGREB, Aug 25 (Hina) - The Croatian Army's headquarters chief-of staff, General Petar Stipetic, the Croatian Air Force commander, Major General Josip Culetic and the Croatian Navy commander, Vice Admiral Vid Stipetic, on Friday
morning flew aboard a helicopter over the most critical fire sites in Split-Dalmatia County. During their tour to the fire-hit areas, they announced that in the course of the day France would send two fire-fighting planes and Germany one helicopter to assist Croatia's tired fire-fighters in their efforts to put out devastating blazes. Besides, Austria and Poland have also offered assistance. General Petar Stipetic was quoted by the Croatian Radio as saying that the engagement of the Croatian Army was maximum in attempts to extinguish wild fires. He stressed that the armed forces offered as much support as they could to fire-fighters. Gen. Stipetic cited figures under which there
ZAGREB, Aug 25 (Hina) - The Croatian Army's headquarters chief-of
staff, General Petar Stipetic, the Croatian Air Force commander,
Major General Josip Culetic and the Croatian Navy commander, Vice
Admiral Vid Stipetic, on Friday morning flew aboard a helicopter
over the most critical fire sites in Split-Dalmatia County.
During their tour to the fire-hit areas, they announced that in the
course of the day France would send two fire-fighting planes and
Germany one helicopter to assist Croatia's tired fire-fighters in
their efforts to put out devastating blazes. Besides, Austria and
Poland have also offered assistance.
General Petar Stipetic was quoted by the Croatian Radio as saying
that the engagement of the Croatian Army was maximum in attempts to
extinguish wild fires. He stressed that the armed forces offered as
much support as they could to fire-fighters.
Gen. Stipetic cited figures under which there were currently some
800 troops at fire sites and another 300 were heading towards
Dalmatia. Besides, vehicles, water tanks and all other equipment
possessed by the army are being used in these operations.
"Now troops of the 3rd Guards Brigade are being deployed, the 7th
Guards Brigade arrived yesterday, so we can expect that they will be
able to replace fire-fighters on the ground," Stipetic added.
He particularly commended the Air Force and Navy for their
contribution to the battle against blazes.
Gen. Stipetic, however, voiced dissatisfaction with local patrols
on duty at spots where contained fires have re-erupted.
He endorsed Thursday's set-up of the crisis headquarters in Split,
the task of which is to co-ordinate activities in the fight against
fires in southern Croatia.
Croatia's Air Force commander Culetic cautioned that pilots of
fire-fighting planes (Canadairs) and helicopters were extremely
exhausted, as they flew almost over ten hours every day.
Culetic added that four fire-fighting aircraft were not enough for
the battle against such blazes, and stressed that it would be
necessary to make timely preparations on the ground. He, however,
complained that each year, including this one, such measures were
belated.
(hina) ms