STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER DECLARED ON ISLAND OF HVAR

SPLIT/HVAR, 29 July (Hina) - Split County Prefect Branimir Vuksic on Tuesday decided to declare the state of natural disaster in Hvar and Starigrad on the island of Hvar, due to a fire which broke out on Monday. According to the decision, which took effect at 4 pm today, along with professional fire-fighting brigades, able-bodied civilians will also + participate in putting out the fire. In the afternoon, the fire, which is carried by the wind, reached the area of Starigrad where it spread over three bays. The fire has consumed 2,500 hectares of pine forest, vineyards, olive groves and maquis. The islands of Hvar and Vis are without electricity as the main electricity cable has been disconnected to ensure the security of fire-fighting 'canadair' planes. It has been agreed that 500 firemen from Zagreb County should arrive in Hvar to help the teams on the ground. Three 'canadair' planes and two helicopters are used to extinguish the fire. Fire-fighting units from Sibenik, Zadar, Split, Varazdin and Hvar are putting out the fire. They are assisted by the Split Water Supply and Sewage and the 4th guard's brigade units. The establishment of an air-lift between Hvar and mainland and cooperation between Croatian and Italian fire-fighting brigades are being considered. (hina) rm 291816 MET jul 97