A wildfire that originally broke out in Montenegro on Monday has crossed the international border into Croatia, spreading onto Bjelotina Hill above the village of Bani in Konavle.
County Fire Commander Stjepan Simović confirmed on Tuesday morning that the fire has taken hold in an extremely rugged, inaccessible area covered in dense forest and undergrowth. In response, emergency services have scrambled two Canadair water bombers to combat the flames from the air.
Air Support Cooled by Ground Probes
Firefighting operations on Croatia’s southernmost tip are currently facing major logistical hurdles due to the thick canopy and complete lack of access tracks leading up Bjelotina Hill. Fortunately, a temporary lack of wind has given crews a window of opportunity.
- Aerial Bombardment: Two Canadairs have been deployed to “soften” the fire line, slowing its advance so that ground forces can move in.
- Carving Paths: Since early morning, ground crews have been using heavy machinery to break through thick brush and establish temporary roads to transport personnel and equipment to the ridge.
The Border Risk: Commander Simović warned that extinguishing the fire on the Croatian side is only half the battle. “If we put it out here, but it isn’t extinguished in Montenegro, there is a distinct possibility it will simply cross back over the border somewhere else,” he emphasized.
Quick Containment in Župa Dubrovačka
While the situation on the border remains active, Croatian firefighters successfully neutralized a separate, threatening blaze that erupted late Monday night in Plat, located in Župa Dubrovačka.
Župa Dubrovačka Fire Suppression Metrics:
[Personnel Deployment] --> 50 firefighters mobilized overnight.
[Tactical Strategy] --> Surrounded the fire line with hoses across rough terrain.
[Current Status] --> Successfully extinguished; monitoring crew remains on standby.
The progression of the border fire in Konavle will heavily depend on how quickly ground crews can clear access to the top of the ridge, alongside the containment efforts carried out by cross-border firefighting teams in Montenegro.
