Major forest fire on Croatian holiday island controlled

A major forest fire that broke out on the Croatian holiday island of Brac three days ago was brought under control, firefighting officials told local media.

Firefighters said they would remain watchful as the weather forecast announced winds later on Sunday that could again spread the blaze, the largest on Brac in years, national radio reported.

The fire, which broke out the island’s southwestern side, has ravaged some 4,000 hectares of pine forest, olive trees and other plants, national rescue services said. Dozens of sheep also died in the blaze.

Some 400 rescuers, whose efforts were made more difficult by strong winds spreading the blaze, battled the fire with the help of firefighting planes and helicopters.