SARAJEVO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- International assistance has been requested by authorities in Konjic, a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), after the municipality declared a state of natural disaster on Wednesday due to a raging wildfire.
The wildfire broke out near a village in Konjic on Tuesday and at one point spread to residential zones, destroying several structures, including an abandoned house and two barns. No casualties have been reported.
The fire was not extinguished overnight. The Federal Civil Protection Administration (FUCZ) confirmed the disaster declaration on Wednesday and said Konjic has asked for international help, specifically canard-wing aircraft and more helicopters, to stop the fire from spreading further.
Pero Pavlovic, a local civil protection spokesperson, said the fire will be very hard to bring under control without enough air support.
The FUCZ said helicopters from BiH's air force dropped eight water loads on the fire Wednesday, despite high temperatures and strong winds, also warning that the wildfire near several Konjic settlements was continuing to spread in multiple directions and could reach nearby towns. Endtiem