KORCULA'S BLAZES KEEP ACTIVE ON FOUR FRONTS

( Editorial: --> 3087 ) ZAGREB, Aug 11 (Hina) - Four fire-fronts have developed today on the southern Adriatic island of Korcula, says the latest report by the Croatian Government's Crisis Committee. Blazes on Korcula are burning on the Kupa hill towards the coast near the settlement of Brna, on the Kom hill, along the Istruga bay and close to the Smokvica wine-cellars. Two Canadair fire fighting plane and a helicopter are taking part in the extinguishing efforts on Korcula, involving about 700 people working in shifts and 30 or so fire vehicles. The fire has so far burnt about 1,250 hectares of pine forest, grassland and thick underbrush on the island. According to the Committee's report on the fire situation in Croatia as at 3pm on Tuesday, some new small open fires have erupted on the eastern side of Lastovo island in the Njizno polje and Duboko polje areas and on the western area of Bucen Dolac. Other fire scenes in Lastovo are reported to be stable. Taking part in operations on the island are about 300 firefighters, 10 fire vehicles and a fire fighting helicopter. About 1,150ha of thick underbrush and pine forest has been burnt. Smoke is occasionally emerging on burnt out areas on the St Elias hill behind Orebic on the Peljesac peninsula. Fires remain under control and are being extinguished by 10 firefighters. Another fire has erupted on Peljesac, this time on the outskirts of the settlement of Bistrina near Ston. The Slano volunteer fire brigade has arrived on the scene and is expecting assistance from neighbouring units. Efforts are being hampered by inaccessible terrain. The fire area on the Snjeznica mountain in the Konavle municipality is under control and firefighters are keeping it under surveillance. Several small fires have erupted in the Sibenik-Knin County but most of them have been localised during the day, although some are still active. (Hina) mbr 111709 MET aug 98