EUFOR Helicopter Deployed to Fight Wild Fires in BiH
Szöveg: hungariandefence.com / euforbih.org | 2012. augusztus 3. 10:13A EUFOR helicopter was in action for over 5 hours today fighting wild fires in the Konjic region. An Alouette III helicopter flew a series of flights each time dropping 500 litres of water on forest fires in the mountainous area of Spiljani.
Taking around 5 minutes to refill the water system from the nearby river Neretva, it is estimated that over 25,000 litres of water have been dropped in approximately 50 flights. The helicopter was in constant use from 0900 to 1400, stopping only briefly for a crew change.
The deployment of the EUFOR helicopter comes after a request on 17 July 2012 from Mr Sadik Ahmetovic, Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for EUFOR assistance in fighting the wild fires. Following a recognisance flight yesterday morning, the EUFOR helicopter commenced the first fire fighting flights later on that afternoon.
The Commander of EUFOR, Major General Robert Brieger said: “I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the wild fires are causing the local communities and the authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although EUFOR currently possesses limited fire fighting assets which are used primarily within Camp Butmir, EUFOR will continue to support the fire fighting effort in the best way that we can."
He added: “I sincerely hope that the EUFOR helicopter proves effective; and that the wild fires affecting Bosnia and Herzegovina are brought under control and extinguished as quickly as possible."
