Image: Wildfire near Split screenshot/HVZ
Update: Wildfire near Split brought under control
The wildfire near Split that broke out on Friday afternoon near Prapatnica, in the Prgomet area west of the city, has been brought under control after a major firefighting operation involving ground crews and aerial support.
According to the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ), the fire started at a bulky waste disposal site before spreading beyond the landfill into surrounding grassland and low vegetation, eventually affecting an estimated two hectares.
A total of 50 firefighters with 21 fire engines from the Split, Kaštela, Solin, Sinj, Makarska and Trogir operational areas were deployed, supported by two Canadair CL-415 aircraft. The fire has been localised and remains under the supervision of firefighters, with 52 firefighters and 20 vehicles continuing recovery work and monitoring the site on Saturday.
Fire in Split city centre localised, no injuries reported
While crews were battling the wildfire near Split, firefighters were also called to a separate incident in Split city centre after a fire broke out in the kitchen of a hospitality venue on the Riva waterfront.
The incident prompted a rapid response from the Split Public Fire Brigade and the Split Volunteer Fire Brigade. A total of 17 firefighters with five fire engines took part in the operation, while electricity in the immediate area was temporarily switched off to allow crews to work safely.
Thick smoke spread across the Riva and nearby streets, with residents reporting that the smell of burning reached several neighbourhoods in the city centre. The waterfront was crowded at the time, causing concern among visitors and residents, but according to HVZ no one was injured. The fire was localised at 10:22 pm, and firefighters continued recovery work overnight.
Police officers and a fire protection inspector from the Civil Protection Directorate later carried out an on-site investigation at the hospitality venue on Obala Lazareta. The investigation established that the fire was caused by a technical fault.
Dinara wildfire extinguished
The wildfire near Badanj, on the slopes of Dinara Mountain near Knin, has now been fully extinguished.
The fire burned approximately 35 hectares of grassland and low vegetation after it was reported on Friday afternoon. Fourteen firefighters from the Knin Public Fire Brigade and the Knin Volunteer Fire Brigade, supported by two Canadair CL-415 aircraft, brought the blaze under control. According to HVZ, the firefighting operation was completed at 8:00 pm on Friday.
Earlier report: Wildfire near Split send smoke across the coast
A large wildfire near Split is being tackled by ground crews and two Canadair firefighting aircraft after flames broke out at the Adriatic–Blizna municipal waste disposal site in Labin Dalmatinski on Friday afternoon.
The fire is burning in the wider Trogir area, around 30 kilometres west of Split. Although the incident is centred at a waste disposal site rather than in an inhabited area, a large plume of smoke has spread across a considerable section of the central Dalmatian coast.
Smoke from the wildfire near Split can be clearly seen from Split and surrounding coastal areas. According to observations from the area, the plume is stretching southwards across the coast and is visible in the direction of the island of Hvar.
The Croatian Firefighting Association said firefighting units from the operational areas of Trogir and Kaštela had been deployed to the scene. Two Canadair aircraft are supporting the operation from the air.
Canadairs deployed to wildfire near Split
The aerial operation is particularly important because fires involving municipal waste can produce large quantities of thick smoke and may be more difficult to extinguish completely than ordinary vegetation fires.
The extent of the smoke does not necessarily reflect the size of the area affected by the flames. Burning waste and other materials at disposal sites can generate a dense plume that remains visible from locations far beyond the immediate fire zone.
Residents and visitors across the Split area may therefore notice smoke in the sky even though the fire is located west of the city, between Trogir and the Dalmatian hinterland.
No official information has yet been released regarding the size of the affected area, possible damage or the cause of the fire. There have also been no reports of injuries.
Firefighting operations remain in progress, and further details are expected once crews have brought the situation under control.
Period of extreme heat
The fire comes as Split and much of the Croatian coast experience another period of very high temperatures.
An orange heat warning is in effect for the Split region on Friday, July 31, with maximum temperatures expected to exceed 35°C. Hot, dry conditions increase the risk that fires will spread rapidly, particularly when flames reach surrounding grass, scrubland or forest vegetation.
The wildfire near Split is likely to attract considerable attention because its smoke is visible from the city and from several popular tourist areas along the coast. However, there is currently no official indication that the fire poses a direct threat to Split, Trogir, Kaštela or nearby tourist resorts.
People in the affected area should avoid approaching the fire site and allow emergency vehicles and firefighting crews unobstructed access.
Fire breaks out at hospitality venue on Split’s Riva
While firefighters continued battling the wildfire near Split, which broke out at a waste disposal site near Trogir, another fire erupted at a hospitality venue on Split’s Riva waterfront on Friday evening. Firefighters responded immediately, and electricity in the immediate area was temporarily switched off while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
Thick smoke quickly spread across the Riva and surrounding streets, while residents in nearby city-centre neighbourhoods reported a strong smell of burning. The waterfront was crowded at the time, and some people moved away from the area in fear as smoke filled the promenade.
There are currently no reports of injuries and authorities have not indicated that the fire poses a wider danger to the public.
Wildfire on Dinara mountain
Firefighters are also responding to a separate vegetation fire on Dinara Mountain, in the direction of Badanj Peak.
The Šibenik-Knin County Fire Operations Centre received the report at 2:44 pm after a fire broke out in grass, low vegetation and pine forest.
A total of 13 firefighters with four vehicles from the Knin Public Fire Brigade and the Knin Volunteer Fire Brigade were deployed. Two Canadair aircraft were also sent to assist ground crews.
The two incidents are separate, and the Dinara fire is not connected to the large plume of smoke currently visible from Split and the central Dalmatian coast.
Landfill fire on Brač remains active
A separate fire at a waste disposal site on the island of Brač also remains active, with firefighters continuing efforts to bring the blaze fully under control after overnight operations. More details are available in our earlier report Fire on Brač Still Active After Overnight Firefighting Efforts.
