How many soldiers are involved in ground firefighting?

At the request of Chief Fire Commander Tucaković, around 40 soldiers have been engaged to provide ground support to firefighters.

Why did the ground army get involved in firefighting?

The reason was the threat to the Crvena zemlja military training ground, which prompted the army to receive a request from the Chief Fire Commander.

What did Minister Anušić say about arsonists?

The minister called for stricter penalties for arsonists, noting that the number of fires breaking out when a bora wind is forecast is illogical, and that some fires have been captured on camera as deliberately set.

Is the fire at the Crvena zemlja training ground under control?

Yes, Minister Anušić confirmed that the fire has been brought under control and that the army no longer has a reason to be on the ground, but they remain on standby.

Croatia

Anušić: Army Fighting Fires, Calls for Stricter Penalties

A.E. · Prije 10h | 2 min

The Defense Minister confirmed the engagement of the Croatian Air Force and around 40 soldiers, who for the first time provided ground support to firefighters due to the threat to the Crvena zemlja military training ground.

Summary

The Croatian Army has been involved from the start of all fires, with Canadairs and Air Tractors as the backbone of firefighting forces.
For the first time, around 40 soldiers provided ground support to firefighters due to the threat to the Crvena zemlja military training ground.
Minister Anušić calls for stricter penalties for arsonists, as some fires have been captured on camera as deliberately set.

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The Croatian Army has been involved from the very start of all fires in which air forces participate, Defense Minister Ivan Anušić stated on Sunday in Cer. As he pointed out, the Canadairs and Air Tractors of the Croatian Air Force, together with firefighters, form the backbone of firefighting efforts, as reported by Prigorski.

First Ground Support to Firefighters

At the request of Chief Fire Commander Tucaković, around 40 soldiers have been deployed to provide ground assistance to firefighters. The minister revealed this while discussing the involvement of ground forces.

"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 providing ground support to firefighters," the minister said.

The threat to the Crvena zemlja military training ground was the reason for deploying ground troops. The minister explained that ground forces are deployed whenever they receive a request from the Chief Fire Commander, or when there is a need. He emphasized that soldiers are not equipped with firefighting gear or equipment like firefighters, so they do not go to fire sites when there is no need.

Fire Under Control, Army on Standby

That fire has been brought under control and there is no longer any reason for the army to be on the ground, Anušić confirmed, but they are certainly on standby. The minister took the opportunity to call for stricter penalties for arsonists. He recalled that this was also discussed when similar fires occurred in the Brela area and its surroundings.

"The number of fires that break out in a single day, exactly when a bora wind or strong winds are forecast, is illogical. The outbreak of fires that have ultimately been captured on camera as deliberately set is also illogical and unbelievable," Minister Anušić asserted, as announced by the Ministry of Defense.

Stricter Controls and Protection of Public Areas

The minister highlighted the need for stricter controls and protection, primarily of public areas that catch fire and thus endanger homes, buildings, and people. He also called for the introduction of stricter penalties for those who deliberately set fires.