Wildfire Forces Evacuations, Road Closures on Bosnia-Croatia Border
A fast-moving wildfire near the Bosnia-Croatia border has closed a key highway, forced village evacuations, and disrupted holiday travel.
A major wildfire broke out on Saturday along the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, forcing the closure of the main highway connecting Trebinje in Bosnia with Dubrovnik in Croatia. The blaze, which has spread over an area roughly 16 kilometres in diameter, has prompted thousands of tourists to abandon their travel plans and evacuate the region.
Several villages near the small town of Ivanica in Bosnia have been evacuated as the fire crept dangerously close to homes. Local firefighters reported that some livestock in the affected area was caught in the flames and perished.
Croatian firefighting crews from nearby Dubrovnik have crossed the border to assist their Bosnian counterparts in battling the forest fire. Police have sealed off the busy tourist artery, turning back vehicles and directing drivers to find alternative routes. One Serbian tourist, Aleksandar Boskovic, said he and his family were stopped by police while trying to reach the Adriatic coast. "We will try and change our plans, maybe we try again tomorrow," he said.
The rugged terrain, characterised by narrow hills and mountains, has made it difficult for ground crews to reach the fire's front. Helicopter support has been deployed to assist firefighting efforts, but scorching temperatures and strong winds continue to push the flames further inland.
Southern Bosnia-Herzegovina is no stranger to summer wildfires, but this year's season is shaping up to be one of the hottest and driest in recent memory. The Trebinje area has seen no significant rainfall for months, leaving the parched landscape highly susceptible to ignition and rapid spread.