During 2026, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were engaged more than ever before in providing assistance to civilian structures in extinguishing fires throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced.
In accordance with the decisions of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the orders of the Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina used helicopters to put out fires in the following municipalities from May until today: Maj-Jablanica; June-Posušje, July-Mostar and Konjic; August-Konjic and Bihać several times; Bosanski Petrovac, Bosansko Grahovo, Cazin Trebinje, Drežnica near Mostar; September-Bihać, Kalesija, Nevesinje, Mrkonjić Grad, Prozor-Rama and Drvar.
In the course of carrying out the activities in the mentioned municipalities, the helicopter crews flew for more than 176 hours and in the process released about 760,000 liters of water.
“Firefighting from the air is one of the most complex operations carried out by members of the Air Force and Air Defense Brigades of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. High temperatures, strong updrafts, thick smoke and reduced visibility, as well as the danger of minefields require the highest level of training, experience, precision and flawless coordination of the crews. Our helicopter crews overcame all these obstacles with the aim of saving human lives and material goods threatened by the fire,” the statement said.
In addition to the helicopters of the 1st and 2nd helicopter squadrons of the Air Force and Air Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the 4th and 6th Infantry Brigades of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina also participated in the firefighting operations. They also put out fires in several municipalities: Nevesinje, Bihać, Trebinje, Mrkonjić Grad, Cazin and Drvar.
“During the execution of firefighting activities from land, the biggest problem was the inaccessible terrain, the danger of potential minefields, dense vegetation, a complicated way of delivering water, smoke inhalation, etc. With great efforts and dedication, the soldiers delivered water at some fire sites with ropes over a distance of over 400 meters. They also showed their humanity by their attitude towards endangered animals. delivered drinking water in the area of Livno, in order to water the wild horses. As before in crisis situations, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina showed that they are an irreplaceable factor when providing assistance to the vulnerable in all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Although, according to the prescribed procedures, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the last, or fourth, factor when providing support to the vulnerable in the event of natural disasters, the resources of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are always among the first on the ground and act as long as there is a need.
“The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina will, in accordance with the priorities, available capacities and decisions of the competent institutions, continue to provide assistance to civilian structures and the population throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the statement concludes.
