A massive wildfire broke out early Saturday morning near the coastal villages of Pisak and MaruĆĄiÄi in southern Croatia, prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists as emergency services struggle to contain the flames. The fire is sweeping through dense pine forests between OmiĆĄ and Makarska, roughly 40 kilometres from Split, and continues to spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions.
Wildfire rages in Croatia
According to CroatiaWeek, authorities say the fire is currently out of control. “We are going house by house, trying to save what we can. Everything is at risk,” said ViĆĄeslav PeĆĄiÄ, commander of the OmiĆĄ Volunteer Fire Department. The Split-Dalmatia County’s full firefighting forceâincluding both professional and volunteer unitsâhas been deployed, with teams from OmiĆĄ, Makarska, and KaĆĄtela on the ground. State intervention units have also joined the effort.
Two Canadair firefighting aircraft were dispatched but were forced to return to Resnik Airport due to dangerous wind conditions. One of the planes is expected to resume operations shortly. So far, no injuries have been reported, but at least 12 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, according to county officials, The Economic Times writes.
The fire began in a forested area above the Adriatic highway, which has since been closed to traffic. Pisak and parts of MaruĆĄiÄi below the main road are currently without electricity, further complicating evacuation and firefighting efforts. Eyewitness reports suggest some vehicles may have been damaged, and thick smoke from the fire has been spotted as far away as the islands of Hvar and BraÄ.
Tourists have been seen hastily leaving the area, many visibly distressed. Emergency shelters have been set up, and police have secured the region as evacuations continue.
There is growing concern among locals that the fire may have been deliberately set. âPeople have seen someone on a motorbike in recent days, and there are suspicions that theyâve been starting fires,â one resident told reporters. Croatiaâs deputy police chief confirmed that arson is being actively investigated.
According to public broadcaster HRT, this wildfire is part of a larger crisis: fires have broken out at 17 separate locations along the southern Adriatic coast in the past two days alone.
Croatian authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting teams battle to prevent further destruction. For now, the focus remains on saving homes and ensuring the safety of those in the fireâs path.
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