FIRES RAGE IN ZADAR HINTERLAND

( Editorial: --> 1971 ) ZADAR, Aug 5 (Hina) - High temperatures and strong winds set the whole Zadar hinterland, central Croatia, ablaze on Wednesday. According to the Zadar police, many of the dozens of fires registered today have not yet been put out. The largest fire has caught the Kasic area and is still raging, while the most dangerous are the fires in Benkovac and Skabrnja. In Benkovac and the nearby Benkovacko Selo the fire got near a kindergarten and a police station. Thanks to the efforts of professional anti-fire squads, local water-tank owners and residents, the fire has been put under control, but not yet put out. A fire also got close to family houses in Skabrnja and has not been put out by evening hours. Today fires also covered forest areas around Bibinje and Sukosani. They were put out, as were fires in Rtina, Murvica, Privlaka and Pakostani near Biograd. A fire in Ceranje near Benkovac is still on. Another fire between Rastevici and Polaca near Benkovac was put out, but one between Biograd and Vrane is still burning. A fire between Novigrad and Paljuv has not been put out either. A fire which has been burning all day in the Brekina Draga area near Gracac has been put under control. The Zadar police also reported that a fire near Budak and Stankovci not far from Benkovac was put out. (hina) ha 052056 MET aug 98