Minister Krstičević visits the firesites in Promina
The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević in the morning on 22 August 2017 visited the fire sites in the area of Promina and met witht the Chief Firefighter Commander of the Šibenik-Knin County Darko Dukić.
Minister Krstičević exteded appreciation to the soldiers, firemen, policemen and the locals for the efforts made during the firefighting.
“ On behalf of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces I wish to reiterate the appreciation to all solders, firemen, policemen and the locals who have assisted fighting the fires in the course of the past days.
“We have been faced with a threat- open flame fires; I am very glad that we have successfully defended Drniš and the area around Benkovac from fires , together – in synergy and in partnership and with a huge contribution from the Government – just as we did in the Homeland War. Some property has been lost to the fire but no house was caught in blaze and, most importantly, there have been no victims“.
“The Croatian soldiers are always there for their nation; it is our obligation. The firemen and the pilots of Canadairs and Airtractors have done an excellent job: they are all our peacetime heroes assisting their people, to our great pride. It is our mission and obligation“, said the Minister.
The air forces of the Task Firefighter Forces of the Croatian Armed Forces have managed to contain the fire site at Pristeg, averting the threat for the villages and for the traffic along the Zagreb-Split motorway. One Airtractor AT 802 has remained on the spot to drop water and recover the site.
Two Canadairs and two Airtractors AT-802 are still engaged fighting the fire in Promina, while one Canadair has been dispatched to the firesite at Dobropoljci near Lišane Ostrovičke., and 96 members of the Task Firefighter Forces of the Croatian Armed Forces (in the firesites at Lišnjak near Drniš and 72 members at the firesites at Kožlovac, Kolarna and Lepuri near Benkovac).
189 members are on alert in the barracks in Benkovac, Sinj, Knin and “Lora“ Navy Port in Split. 210 members are stand-by in the barracks in Vinkovci, Petrinja, Gospić and Našice if necessary.