Image: Wildfire on Pelješac/HVZ
A large wildfire on Pelješac is burning in the Kuna Pelješka area on Friday, August 14, with flames threatening homes and strong winds making firefighting efforts more difficult.
The fire is affecting grass, low vegetation and pine forest on the Pelješac peninsula in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Firefighters are battling the blaze from the ground, while four Canadair CL-415 aircraft have been deployed to assist from the air.
Four Canadairs deployed to wildfire on Pelješac
Firefighting crews from across Dubrovnik-Neretva County have been sent to the area, along with the Dubrovnik Intervention Firefighting Unit.
Four Canadair CL-415 aircraft have also been deployed as crews work to prevent the fire from spreading further towards homes.
Strong winds are complicating the operation and helping the flames spread through the vegetation.
Road traffic disrupted by the fire
The wildfire on Pelješac is also affecting road traffic across the peninsula.
According to the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK), traffic on the DC414 state road between Prizdrina and Potomje is currently moving in one lane, alternately in each direction under police control.
The DC415 between Donja Banda and Trpanj has been closed to traffic in both directions because of a large queue of vehicles.
Ploče–Trpanj ferry operating continuously
The disruption has also prompted changes to ferry operations.
Jadrolinija announced that the ferry on the Ploče–Trpanj route will operate continuously, without following its regular timetable, due to the situation caused by the fire.
The additional ferry operation provides another transport option while road traffic on Pelješac remains disrupted.
Firefighters continue to battle the wildfire on Pelješac, with strong winds and the proximity of homes making conditions particularly challenging.
