A major wildfire that broke out near Lokva Rogoznica on Thursday evening tore through the Croatian coastal town of Omiš overnight, destroying homes, burning vehicles and forcing roughly 1,000 residents and tourists to evacuate.
The fire started at around 8:20 p.m. local time and intensified within hours as strong winds pushed flames toward the town. By the early hours of Friday, the blaze had reached the Borak area just above Omiš’s centre, with flames reported close to residential streets. At least 36 people received medical attention at Split Clinical Hospital, of whom 14 were hospitalised, including seven in life-threatening condition, the hospital said.
Emergency Response
A total of 157 firefighters and 44 fire engines were deployed overnight, with additional forces sent from several Croatian counties and Zagreb. Chief Fire Chief Slavko Tucaković told Croatian media that the fire front was enormous and that several houses as well as a large number of cars and boats were burned, causing what he called enormous material damage.
Changing wind directions made the firefighting effort especially difficult, with flames spreading in multiple directions and parts of Omiš left without electricity during the night. Satellite imagery from the OroraTech system revealed 200 hotspots across a large fire zone stretching from Lokva Rogoznica toward the coast and hinterland.
The Adriatic coastal road (D8) was closed in the affected area, and traffic restrictions were introduced on the Omiš bypass. An evacuation centre was opened at Omiš’s Ribnjak sports hall, where displaced residents and tourists were provided with beds, food and water, with additional accommodation prepared in nearby Makarska if needed.
Part of Europe’s Worst Fire Season
The Omiš blaze is part of a broader pattern of wildfires sweeping across southern Europe during what has been a record-breaking summer. Croatia, Italy, Greece and Spain have all faced severe fire conditions driven by extreme heat and prolonged drought. France’s record-breaking summer heatwave alone is estimated to have cost the country up to 15 billion euros, according to government ministers.
Tucaković said there was no longer any open fire in the Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš areas by Friday morning, but warned that conditions remained volatile and urged residents to stay away from the affected zone. The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing.
Sources: Croatia Week; Al Jazeera; Anadolu Agency; Split Clinical Hospital statement
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