Wildfire near Omiš burns homes and vehicles, injures 40 and forces 1 200 people to evacuate, Croatia
A large wildfire reported near Lokva Rogoznica at 20:15 LT (18:15 UTC) on August 13, 2026, spread toward Omiš overnight, reaching residential areas and burning about 900 ha (2 200 acres) by 12:00 LT on August 14, according to the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ). At least 1 200 people were evacuated, 40 were treated in hospitals, of which seven with life-threatening injuries. Local media are describing it as one of the worst wildfires in Croatia’s history.
Image credit: HVZ
The Split-Dalmatia County fire operations center received the first report at 20:15 LT on August 13, according to HVZ. The fire broke out close to buildings and spread through grass, low vegetation and pine forest with strong wind assisting its advance toward the Omiš area. At 12:00 LT (10:00 UTC) on August 14, HVZ estimated the burned area at about 900 ha (2 200 acres).
HVZ received reports of burned houses, vehicles and boats in Ivašnjak, Staro Selo, Pod Vajle, Nemira, Stanići and Medići. The fire reached communities along the coastal corridor after developing rapidly during the night under strong wind.
Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) reported that Split University Hospital treated 34 patients during the night and morning and another six later on August 14, bringing the total to 40. Fourteen patients were hospitalized, of which seven were in life-threatening condition.
During the morning hours of August 14, local officials reported 1 200 people were evacuated from the Omiš area. Reception centers were opened in Omiš, Dugi Rat, Makarska and Split as residents and visitors were moved away from threatened communities.
HVZ reported 286 firefighters with 93 vehicles at 07:00 LT, with reinforcements arriving from several Croatian counties. Four Canadair CL-415 aircraft were dispatched at about 06:00 LT before being redirected to another wildfire on the Pelješac Peninsula, while three Air Tractor aircraft remained over the Lokva Rogoznica–Omiš sector at 12:00 LT. By that time, 210 firefighters with 61 vehicles remained assigned to the fire.
The wildfire caused major disruption on the coastal road network around Omiš. At 15:02 LT on August 14, the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) reported that traffic was interrupted on the Jadranska magistrala (DC8) at Lokva Rogoznica, on the section between Stanići and Medići. The Omiš bypass (DC553) was also closed in the direction of Makarska because of the fire.
HVZ reported no further spread and no active flame at 12:00 LT, with crews working along the fire perimeter and around burned houses. However, HRT’s 14:35 LT (12:35 UTC) update reported renewed fire activity, with flames crossing a hill and another Canadair being sent to the area.
Police found a dead person at about 13:30 LT on August 14 while examining the burned area, HRT reported. However, the person’s identity and cause of death had not been established in the police information.
The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) reported it launched a search in the Omiš area for a foreign national who left a vehicle during the wildfire and has not been seen since. About 20 members of HGSS Station Split were deployed to search the area around the location where the vehicle had been found.
Unconfirmed reports identified the missing woman as a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three people were reportedly traveling in the vehicle, including one who was seriously injured. HGSS teams were also providing logistical support to the Civil Protection headquarters and other emergency services operating in the area.
References:
1 Požar kod Lokve Rogoznice – HVZ – August 14, 2026
2 Opet gori kod Omiša; na opožarenom području pronađeno tijelo – HRT – August 14, 2026
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
