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.

For more news about Croatia, click here.

Updated article on the morning of August 3.

August 2, 2021 - A fire in Seget Gornji, in the hills of Trogir, broke out in the morning. Although the houses in the neighborhood are not in danger, the smoke is affecting the air traffic of the Split airport.

A large fire in Seget Gornji broke out around 10.30 am, reports 24sata. It blazed along the road. As we find out, the fire is spreading carried by the wind, but the houses are not endangered for now. All available forces from the fire brigades from Solin, Vranjica, Kaštela, Trogir and Seget Vranjica are on the ground. Police regulate traffic on DC 58 and drive alternately in one lane so that firefighters can use the other lane unhindered. The Split-Dalmatia Police Department appeals to drivers to be careful. Two canadairs are helping the firefighters in the field, and two 'air tractors' are expected to arrive at any moment.

''There are over 100 firefighters and 25 vehicles on the field, and help to firefighters on the field is still arriving. Two canadairs are also helping with the extinguishing. Maquis and low vegetation are burning, and the fire is spreading in the southeast direction'', the county fire commander, Ivan Kovačević, told 24sata.

(Photo: 24sata reader)

As we have learned from Pero Bilas, the assistant director of Split Airport, due to the fire near the airport, several planes were sent to alternative runways, points out Dalmatinski Portal. Resnik, says Bilas, was not closed, but there was a disturbance in air traffic. Despite the efforts of all fire brigade units present in the area to control the fire, the smoke continues to be a problem.

''There will be a delay in landing and then taking off. The planes take off from the Split airport'', says Bilas.

Canadairs are constantly flying over because it is the shortest way to the fire.

More will follow...

For more news on Croatia, click here.

First fires raged through Peljesac, now the rain is causing issues.

This summer season seemed to have been free of major wildfires in Croatia. 

July 13, 2018 — A small island off the coast of Zadar called Iž needed some gumption and plenty of luck as locals formed a bucket brigade to extinguish an unexpected wildfire.

Firefighters are still fighting fires in ​​Split-Dalmatia County, Hvar and several other locations. In Šibenik-Knin County, the situation is critical.

Who is responsible for the chaos on A1 motorway near Benkovac, which happened yesterday, August 21, due to raging fires in Zadar area?

A dozen separate fires are raging in Zadar County, reports Index.hr on August 21, 2017.

The Hvar wildfire captured by famous Croatian photographer Mario Romulić. 

While the fires surrounding Split may have been put out, the fires in the hearts of many angry citizens continue to burn.