SUCCESSFUL AND DECISIVE FIREFIGHTING OPERATION, TREBINJE REMAINS PEACEFUL AND STABLE CITY

TREBINJE, JULY 18 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said that Trebinje remains a stable and peaceful city, and that a successful and decisive firefighting operation was carried out today in the area.

Dodik stated that Trebinje firefighters, police officers, citizens, the police aviation unit, and the city administration all took part in battling the fires. "I received daily updates on what was happening. I knew today was quite critical, and the success of today’s operation would determine the development of the entire fire," Dodik told reporters in the village of Staro Slano near Trebinje, where he inspected the fire sites with representatives of the relevant services. He added that the fire was successfully extinguished, although fires are still present in some inaccessible areas. “This is a vast area. It’s almost incomprehensible that fires have broken out in about fifteen locations. The wind spreads and carries it further,” Dodik said. He emphasized that the most important thing was that no private property had been damaged and no one was injured. “We will see what the environmental damage amounts to,” Dodik said. He added that fire prevention is the fundamental issue, noting that it is impossible to protect against natural causes such as lightning strikes and that firefighters cannot extinguish fires in certain inaccessible areas. "Using a helicopter certainly helps in this /extinguishing fires in inaccessible areas/. We can declare a significant victory," Dodik emphasized. He stated that the public in Srpska has been informed about the events in Trebinje, adding that the city remains stable and peaceful. "Fires are not threatening Trebinje alone. I invite everyone who loves Trebinje and those who have visited it to come back and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful city," Dodik said. Dodik said there is coordination between the local and the Republic's authorities regarding the situation in Trebinje. “We will help Trebinje and other places; we form a unified whole. We consistently demonstrate coordinated action,” Dodik said, adding that there are many development programs planned for the city. Dodik thanked all the people who work around the clock to protect what is most important in Republika Srpska — the stability and security of its citizens.