Zadar police have completed a criminal investigation into the fire that broke out in Telašćica Nature Park in early July and have filed criminal charges against a 45-year-old Croatian national with the competent State Attorney's Office in Zadar.
The man is suspected of firing a signal flare from a vessel in the area of Dugi Otok on 10 July just after midnight. The rocket fell into a pine forest within the nature park, where a fire soon broke out.
The flames consumed the pine forest and low vegetation, with land and air fire brigades participating in the extinguishing efforts. The amount of material damage is still being determined, the police reported.
The criminal investigation was conducted by officers of the Zadar Maritime and Airport Police Station. The man is charged with the criminal offence of endangering life and property by a dangerous act or means.
Telašćica, located on Dugi Otok, is protected as a nature park, so any fire in the area means damage to protected natural heritage. The final decision on the responsibility of the reported individual will be made by the judicial authorities.
