Wildfire Rages Near Omiš, Croatia; Residents Prepared for Evacuation

A fierce wildfire broke out in Lokva Rogoznica, near the coastal town of Omiš, Croatia, on Thursday evening, rapidly engulfing areas and threatening homes. Strong winds are fanning the flames, making firefighting efforts extremely challenging, especially as nightfall prevents the use of aerial water-dropping aircraft.

The city of Omiš has opened its Municipal Sports Hall Ribnjak as a reception center for residents and tourists who may need to be evacuated from their homes and accommodations. The mayor of Omiš, Zvonko Močić, confirmed the opening of the center and stated that intervention police have been dispatched to the scene. "A terrible fire that threatened houses. We opened a reception center, a hall in the city, where we will move people. Intervention police have been sent. There are three large fires. We will win, but the question is how long it will take and how much damage there will be," Močić told Net.hr.

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A terrible fire that threatened houses. We opened a reception center, a hall in the city, where we will move people. Intervention police have been sent. There are three large fires. We will win, but the question is how long it will take and how much damage there will be.

Witnesses have begun sharing dramatic accounts of their experiences. One Facebook user described a harrowing escape from a nearby facility, stating, "My brother, sister, and I fled with a bunch of kids from 'Morska Vila,' where the fire started. It took five minutes for everything to ignite. We were surrounded by flames just as the drinks we ordered arrived." The mayor acknowledged that the fire came perilously close to houses in some areas, though there were no immediate reports of structures being destroyed.

Numerous firefighting units from the Kaštela to Makarska regions are engaged in the battle against the blaze. Additional support is expected overnight from Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties. The Adriatic Highway (DC8) through Lokva Rogoznica has been closed, with police redirecting traffic and allowing only emergency vehicles and residents access. Police have also deployed officers with vans to assist in potential evacuations, and two official boats with crews have been sent towards Lokva Rogoznica.

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My brother, sister, and I fled with a bunch of kids from 'Morska Vila,' where the fire started. It took five minutes for everything to ignite. We were surrounded by flames just as the drinks we ordered arrived.