FIRE ON KORCULA STILL ACTIVE; ANOTHER FIRE BREAKS OUT ON MT VELEBIT

( Editorial: --> 3205 ) ZAGREB, 12 Aug (Hina) - The fire on Korcula island is still active on Kupa and Kom hills, near the bay of Istruga and in the vicinity of Smokvica wine cellar. Fire brigades have stopped the fire from spreading towards the settlement of Zavlatica. According to a 6am report on the situation on the ground, the fire is strongest on Gomila hill between Smokvica and Car, the Government Crisis Committee reported Wednesday morning. Another fire broke out last night in the area of Libinjska Kosa near Sveto Brdo and Mala Paklenica on Mt Velebit. The fire scene is difficult to access and a special police unit from Zadar has been sent to asses the situation. During the night, the fire ravaged the village of Butice and has continued to spread. The fire on Lastovo island has been prevented from spreading. There are still occasional active fire spots but the situation is under control. The fire on the island of Brac between Selca and Bol was put under control at 2.30am. The fire has consumed about 85 hectares of underbrush. The fires on St Elias hill overlooking Orebic (Peljesac peninsula), on Vepar hill near Bistrina on the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina and in the area of Snjeznica are under control. About 1,500 firefighters, civil defence members, police officers, army members and civilians are engaged in containing the fires. France and Italy are to send two planes each to help the Croatian fire brigades, the Crisis Committee said. (hina) rml 121132 MET aug 98