Wildfires Threaten Pristine Forests in Southeast Bosnia

Wildfires Threaten Southeast Bosnia’s Pristine Forests

In a devastating turn of events, wildfires have erupted in the picturesque Tjentište valley, located in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. These fires have now spread perilously into the renowned Sutjeska National Park, endangering its ancient coniferous forests, which have stood for centuries. Local authorities have reported that approximately 150 hectares of forest and pasture within one of Bosnia’s oldest national parks were engulfed in flames as of Monday, according to Zoran Čančar, the park’s director.

By Tuesday, the situation worsened as the fire extended further, posing a grave threat to the vital road connecting the nearby town of Foča with Gacko in the southern region of the country, as highlighted by local media outlets. Officials have raised alarms regarding the potential ecological and material devastation this wildfire could inflict on the expansive forested area.

“The situation is extremely precarious, particularly with the risk of collapsing trees and rolling stones,” stated Nijaz Imamović, the president of the regional fire department. He elaborated, “Even after we manage to extinguish the flames in certain areas, we must return almost immediately because the steep terrain and deep canyons often lead to burning trees reigniting.”

In response to the crisis, the civil protection department of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity has sought assistance from the Bosnian Armed Forces to combat the fire raging in the Foča municipality. Currently, three helicopters are actively engaged in firefighting efforts, with additional aerial support expected from Serbia shortly. “We are optimistic that we might gain control of the blaze within two days, but making any definitive predictions would be irresponsible,” remarked Nenad Ikonić, the head of the RS entity’s mountain rescue service, in an interview with the Bosnian outlet Klix.

Battling Flames Across Borders

Meanwhile, the struggle against wildfires continues in neighboring Albania, where firefighters have been working tirelessly to quell the flames in the town of Finiq. As of Monday, fires have been reported in at least 11 remote mountainous regions. Firefighting teams are utilizing helicopters and water hoses to combat the fierce flames in the rugged terrain surrounding the town, which is situated 255 kilometers south of the capital, Tirana.

The Albanian Defence Ministry has indicated that the fires in the Mali i Thatë, or Dry Mountains, along the eastern border with North Macedonia, have been raging for a full week. This summer, many parts of Europe have been grappling with unusually high temperatures, leading to an uptick in wildfires. Countries such as Italy, Greece, and various regions of Albania and North Macedonia have faced some of the most severe wildfire outbreaks this season, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster response and prevention strategies.