Wildfire forces 1,000+ evacuations in Croatian tourist area of Omiš

Fire breaks out near Omiš

A wildfire erupted on Thursday evening, 13 August, in the village of Lokva Rogoznica on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, quickly consuming a pine forest and surrounding vegetation before advancing on residential buildings. Driven by strong wind, the flames spread rapidly toward the tourist town of Omiš, reaching within 50 meters of the city center overnight, according to Croatian media. The fire destroyed vehicles, steel structures protecting homes from falling rocks, and damaged houses, while firefighters doused rooftops with water to prevent the blaze from taking hold. Power outages occurred in some parts of Omiš.

Evacuation and casualties

More than 1,000 people were evacuated, Reuters reported, with many spending the night in a sports hall in Omiš converted into an emergency shelter. The Polish embassy in Zagreb issued a social media alert directing residents and tourists to the Ribnjak sports hall and urging compliance with local authorities' instructions. The Adriatic coastal road (DC8) was closed between Stanići and Medići. A Croatian navy vessel was stationed near Omiš to assist with potential sea evacuation.

Thirty-six people were injured, according to Reuters, while earlier reports from dnevnik.hr cited fire chief Slavko Tucaković putting the number at 19, with about 10 seriously hurt. Regional governor Blaženko Boban confirmed that two people with serious injuries were transported to the hospital in Split, approximately 25 km away. Polish MFA spokesperson Maciej Wewiór stated there was no information that any Polish citizens were among the casualties.

Firefighting response

Overnight from Thursday to Friday, 157 firefighters with 44 vehicles battled the blaze, with additional units dispatched from several Croatian counties. RMF24 reported a higher figure of 286 firefighters and 93 vehicles. Four Canadair firefighting aircraft were made ready at dawn, AFP reported. Fire chief Slavko Tucaković described the situation to local media.

We had an exceptionally difficult night, we have a complicated situation in the area from Lokva Rogoznica to Omiš.

Deputy mayor of Omiš Ivan Pavicevic told Slobodna Dalmacija that the fire was still spreading.

The wind is absolutely not helping us. Many houses have been destroyed by flames, and others are seriously threatened.

Tourists' accounts

Polish journalist Dawid Kierczak, staying with his family in Lokva Rogoznica, described seeing a red glow above the apartments and flames reaching about 20 meters high, roughly 300 to 400 meters away. He told Fakt that within minutes soldiers, firefighters, and police directed people toward Omiš. At the evacuation point, he met other Polish tourists who reported that cars had begun catching fire in traffic jams.

Cars started catching fire, people started fleeing from them.

One tourist arrived at the evacuation point with the rear of his car nearly completely burned, having fought the fire with towels while carrying a four-month-old baby inside, Kierczak recounted. Polish vice-consul Beata Bekierska assisted tourists at the evacuation point.

Heat wave and wildfire season

Croatia is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures exceeding 40°C, with record highs recorded in several Adriatic cities including Split, about 30 km from Lokva Rogoznica. According to the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ), approximately 3,900 forest fires have been recorded since the beginning of the year, destroying nearly 10,000 hectares, a 75% increase compared to the same period in 2025.