Defense Minister in Cer confirms some fires were intentionally started and announces stricter penalties for arsonists. Croatian Army deploys ground forces to assist firefighters for the first time.
Surveillance cameras have recorded that some of the fires that have ravaged Croatia in recent days were deliberately set, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said on Sunday, August 16, 2026. He was in Cer, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he paid tribute to fallen defenders by lighting a candle at the memorial and attended a Mass at the Parish of Christ the King, as reported by Vinkulja Vinkovci. On that occasion, he advocated for stricter penalties for arsonists and increased surveillance of public areas.
The Minister deemed the circumstances of the fire outbreaks suspicious, warning of a recurring pattern. "The number of fires that break out in a single day, exactly when a bura or strong winds are forecast, is illogical," he said.
He added that the outbreak of fires, which were ultimately captured on camera as deliberately set, is both unbelievable and illogical. He recalled that discussions about stricter penalties had taken place earlier when similar fires ravaged the Brela area and its surroundings.
In addition to harsher penalties, Anušić believes that controls and protection of public areas need to be strengthened. When these areas catch fire, they endanger homes, buildings, and human lives.
Anušić also explained the Croatian Army's involvement in firefighting efforts. Following a direct request from Chief Fire Commander Slavko Tucaković, around 40 Croatian Army members were deployed for the first time to assist firefighters on the ground, as reported by Nacionalno Plus.
"Now, for the first time, at the request of Chief Fire Commander Mr. Tucaković, we have also engaged around 40 of our soldiers who have begun assisting firefighters on the ground," the Minister said. The reason, as he stated, was the threat to the Crvena Zemlja military training ground.
Ground forces always respond when the Chief Fire Commander submits a request, that is, when the need arises. Otherwise, the army does not go to fire sites because its members lack firefighting equipment and protective gear like that of firefighters.
The Croatian Army has been engaged since the start of all fires involving air forces, Anušić emphasized. "The Croatian Army is the one that includes the Croatian Air Force, which operates Canadairs and Air Tractors, and they are the main backbone of firefighting forces alongside firefighters," the Minister said, as reported by Klikni.hr.
The fire that threatened the Crvena Zemlja military training ground has been brought under control. There is no longer a need for army engagement in that area, but the Croatian Army remains on standby, according to Vinkulja Vinkovci.
