Warning for Split and surrounding areas: Airborne particles several times above normal

Residents in Split, Trogir and the surrounding islands have been urged to limit exposure to outdoor air after concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles rose several times above usual levels.

The Teaching Institute of Public Health for Split-Dalmatia County said air quality currently falls between levels two and three on the six-level scale used under EU Directive recommendations. The reading indicates that the air is carrying elevated amounts of suspended particles.

Officials recommend avoiding more strenuous physical activity outdoors. They urged particular caution among children, older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses, especially respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Anyone who experiences health problems or symptoms after exposure to smoke should seek medical attention.

The pollution has been linked to a wildfire in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reports cited by the article said dense smoke from a fire near Ljubuša covered Tomislavgrad, Duvanjsko Polje and the Buško Blato area on Sunday. A change in wind direction then carried it toward Posušje and parts of Dalmatia.

Visibility in Tomislavgrad was reported to have fallen sharply, while images from Prisoj showed a dense layer of smoke over the Buško Blato region. Meteo Herzegovina said the bora wind had spread smoke and the smell of burning from fires in northern and northwestern Herzegovina across much of the region. The smoke was also moving over an increasing part of the Adriatic and could reach the eastern Italian coast.

The fire began in the area between Kupres, Tomislavgrad and Prozor-Rama. The article said the flames changed direction overnight and spread toward the Tomislavgrad area, while Bosnia and Herzegovina's armed forces joined firefighting efforts. Strong and shifting winds have complicated the situation. Authorities said they are monitoring conditions and will notify residents, the civil protection headquarters and the 112 center of significant changes.