Featured image: One of the active wildfires in Dalmatia is burning near Perković./HVZ
Several wildfires in Dalmatia broke out on Friday afternoon, with firefighters and six firefighting aircraft deployed to two active fires near Perković and on Dinara. Another fire was reported above Bibinje near Zadar in the evening.
The largest aerial response was sent to the Perković area in Šibenik-Knin County, where three Canadair CL-415 aircraft and two Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft joined firefighters on the ground.
Smoke and ash from the fire have been carried south by the wind, reaching Kaštela and becoming visible from parts of the central Dalmatian coast near Split.
Updated September 5: Perković fire remains active
The situation involving the recent wildfires in Dalmatia has improved, with the fire near Solin extinguished, although firefighting operations are continuing near Perković and at Gornji Bitelić and Mali Maglaj.
The wildfire near Perković remains active, according to the latest report from the Croatian Firefighting Association. It has burned approximately 70 hectares of grass, low vegetation and pine forest.
A total of 55 firefighters with 20 vehicles have been deployed, supported by six firefighting aircraft, including four Canadair CL-415s and two Air Tractor AT-802 Fire Boss aircraft.
The fire at Gornji Bitelić and Mali Maglaj has affected around 30 hectares of grass and low vegetation. Six firefighters from the Hrvace Volunteer Fire Department responded with one vehicle, while a Canadair was deployed because of the difficult terrain.
Earlier report: Wildfires in Dalmatia active near Perković and on Dinara
Firefighters from the Šibenik-Knin County Fire Brigade and the Šibenik Intervention Firefighting Unit are involved in the operation near Perković.
Alongside the five firefighting aircraft, a firefighting train from Kaštela was also sent towards the affected area, according to local reports.
Strong winds have carried smoke and ash from the fire as far as Kaštela, creating a visible layer of smoke over parts of the area. There have been no reports of a new fire in Kaštela or Split linked to the smoke.
A second fire is burning on Dinara at Mali Maglaj and Vrdovo in Split-Dalmatia County. Firefighters from the Sinj operational area are working on the ground, supported by one Canadair CL-415.
Both firefighting operations were still in progress at the time of publication.
New fire reported above Bibinje
Another fire broke out above Bibinje in Zadar County at around 7 pm.
Initial reports confirmed that firefighters had been sent to the area, but no official information about the affected surface, the number of firefighters or the status of the fire was immediately available.
The latest wildfires in Dalmatia come as weather conditions continue to favour the ignition and spread of vegetation fires. The Croatian Firefighting Association has urged residents and visitors to exercise additional caution.
Fire near homes in Solin extinguished
The new incidents follow a fire that broke out in Ninčevići, within the city of Solin, at 10:50 pm on September 3.
The fire burned one hectare of grass, low vegetation and taller plants close to residential buildings. A total of 95 firefighters with 31 vehicles were deployed from professional and voluntary fire brigades across Split, Solin, Kaštela, Trogir and surrounding communities.
Firefighters stopped the flames from spreading further and protected nearby homes. Overnight monitoring and work on the fireground continued with 46 firefighters and 16 vehicles.
The fire was declared extinguished at 6 am on Friday.
While the Solin fire is no longer active, the wildfires in Dalmatia near Perković and on Dinara remain the focus of aerial and ground firefighting operations. Further information is expected as conditions on the firegrounds develop.
