Earth, Wind, and No Fire – 2016 Brings New Defence against Wildfires

Lauren Simmonds

The HOLISTIC project held a meeting on January 24, 2016 in Dubrovnik where fire prevention methods were discussed.

Fifty participants, all members of local fire brigades and volunteer fire and rescue services partook in the discussion, the National Protection and Rescue Directorate and related representatives of Istria, Sibenik-Knin and Zadar County were all present for the talks. The participants eventually concluded that various case studies presented from recent fires in neighbouring countries, including both Slovenia and Greece proved the real need for radical modernisation of Croatia’s existing fire-fighting methods and infrastructure, along with the application and use of more modern information and communication technologies should emergency situations occur again in the coming summer.

Damir Kristinic from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture located in Split, discussed and presented the proposed project of constant video monitoring of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, particularly in high risk areas in which natural fires have occurred in the not so distant past.

The HOLISTIC project would like to set up these cameras in three locations: the area of lake Kuti, on the island of Mljet, and at a not yet decided upon area in Osojnik. The devastation that fire caused in Peljesac last summer is still fresh in our minds, and understandable concern about it happening again is too. The project is estimated to be complete by this years fire season.

The value of these activities carried out in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County is expected to be about 3 million kuna, with 85 percent of said amount co-financed and aided by the European Union. The project in its entirety will ring up a bill with a total of about 70 million kuna.

 

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