BiH Armed Forces Helicopter Battles Wildfire Near Konjic
The fire remains active, and aerial support is crucial due to the steep terrain that prevents access by heavy firefighting vehicles.
The fire remains active, and aerial support is crucial due to the steep terrain that prevents access by heavy firefighting vehicles.
A helicopter from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been involved in extinguishing a wildfire in the Konjic area since the early morning hours, with the fire still active, as confirmed on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The deployment of BiH Armed Forces resources to this fire began on August 6, and the operation continues despite extremely challenging conditions.
During yesterday's afternoon hours, helicopter crews faced extremely demanding weather conditions. During the operation, which lasted one hour and 40 minutes, 4,000 liters of water were successfully released over the most critical parts of the fire, despite thick fog and wind.
Although aerial support plays a crucial role, the fight against the fire is also being waged relentlessly on the ground. Members of the Konjic Professional Fire Brigade (PVJ), assisted by local forestry workers and residents, are continuously on-site monitoring the fire fronts.
An additional challenge is the very steep and difficult-to-traverse terrain, typical of the Konjic area, which prevents heavy fire trucks from reaching the site. Due to high summer temperatures and occasional gusts of wind, there is a constant risk that already extinguished hotspots could reignite.
Given these conditions, aerial support is the only way to prevent the fire from spreading toward populated areas and dense forest complexes. The BiH Armed Forces have stated that they remain at the disposal of citizens.
"Members of the BiH Armed Forces will continue to provide support to the affected population, adhering to all prescribed procedures and continuously assessing risks, all with the aim of protecting crew lives and ensuring aircraft safety," the BiH Armed Forces stated.
