Posted on 07/23/2007 8:45:22 PM PDT by JohnA
Forest fires on the Stara Mt. in southern Serbia have been localized and nearly put out. Blaze in Kuršumlija is under control.
Police Rescue Unit Chief Predrag Marić told B92 that fires at Bela and Timočko Hill sites on the Stara Mt. were successfully contained after four days.
He added that none of the neighboring countries were able to assist since they encountered the same problems.
“We have established contact with colleagues from Greece and Bulgaria, but they are also engaged in battling blazes across their territories. Interior Minister Dragan Jočić asked Russia s Minister for Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu for help, and he has agreed to send an IL-76 aircraft to assist in firefighting campaigns, Marić said.
Forest fires that broke out at six locations in the Kuršumlija municipality five days ago were also contained late Sunday. Firefighters managed to localize the blaze on the 500 hectares spread of forest.
Kuršumlija Forestry Administration Chief Branislav Prolović said that a fire in the village of Tačevac on the administrative line between Serbia proper and Kosovo also died down.
The fire also ravaged the Šar Mountain National Park threatening to spread onto the nearby village of Štrpce in Kosovo Sunday.
Environment Minister Saša Dragin contacted United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) officials, warning them about the fire threat, since the presence of the Serbian police and army was not allowed in the area.
So - according to Bulgarian accounts, the IL-76 waterbomber has done well there and is now on request in Serbia.
Hmmm...I detect we're engaging in a new method of ethnic cleansing. /sarc.
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