Another helicopter sent to help fire-fighters near Staré Hory

The fire that started in the forest above the village of Staré Hory (Banská Bystrica region) in the afternoon of April 15 was reported to have spread over some 115 hectares on April 16.

Around 130 professional fire-fighters from the region, along with members of the Fire and Rescue Unit from Žilina and nearby Rumenné, have been trying to put the fire out since the morning of April 16. The operation has also been joined by four helicopters carrying water bags for fighting fires in difficult-to-access terrain.

"At noon we asked a company from Spišská Nová Ves, which also owns a helicopter with a water bag, to give us a hand. We want to further intensify helicopter fly-overs," Banská Bystrica district fire-fighters' director Pavel Pecník said.

Besides working on bringing the fire under control, the fire-fighting teams are trying to remove trees and rocks from Highway 59, which have fallen there due to the fire. Police closed the road on Sunday evening due to thick smoke and falling rocks. Traffic has been diverted to the Šturec mountain pass.

Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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