July 13, 2022 - The latest update on the fire in Sibenik today. The situation is serious around Zaton. The commander of the Sibenik-Knin County Fire Brigade Darko Durkic confirms that 20 houses have been destroyed. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic will arrive soon at the scene.

UPDATE: The latest on the fires in Vodice, Zaton, and Sibenik on July 14

High temperatures and winds have caused three fires in the Dalmatia region, and numerous fire units in Zadar and Sibenik-Knin counties have been fighting the expansion of the fires for hours. The situation is particularly serious in Zaton, a village located 10 kilometers north of the city of Sibenik.

Darko Dukić, commander of the Šibenik-Knin County Fire Brigade, told RTL that this fire in Zaton near Šibenik is worse than the one in 1986, reports 24sata.hr.

''Back then, as it is now, a large pine forest was burning, but this is a worse fire now. It started from Zaton, 7-8 km on Benkovačka cesta, and it went in the direction of Vodice. When a strong mistral blew, the wind threw the fire 500-600 meters up to a kilometer, and in just ten minutes from the outbreak, the fire reached the town of Zaton itself.'', said Dukić.

The fire in Sibenik has destroyed about 20 houses, and if they fail to control the fire, they will have to close the highway from Šibenik bridge to Vodice and prepare for extinguishing the Jadrija area. 

''(...) As of today, the fire moved and the wind is quite strong, we can hope for anything and everything. About 20 houses burned, some in Zaton, some in Raslina. We have about 20, these are roofs, the fire with ash and a glowing part went through the beams.'', Dukić said.

No injuries have been reported yet, and fire units from Lika-Senj and Split-Dalmatia are joining soon too.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is on his way to the fire scene, reports Index.hr. Deputy Prime Ministers Davor Božinović and Anja Šimpraga and Minister Mario Banožić are also arriving with him. 

"Prime Minister Andrej Plenković headed towards the Šibenik-Knin County due to the large fire that affected certain areas. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Ministers Božinović and Šimpraga and Minister Banožić. The Mayor of Šibenik Burić, Prefect Jelić and Chief Fire Chief Tucaković informed him about the situation in terrain and damage. We are grateful to the firefighters, members of the army, police, civil protection, and all services for their engagement. All available forces are in operation to bring the fires under control and protect property and people," said government spokesman Marko Milić.

More updates will follow.

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