Large wildfire in Dalmatia forces road closures and evacuations

(Photo: Screenshot/Dalmacija Danas/YouTube)

A major wildfire broke out overnight near Jesenice, east of Split, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation and forcing road closures and evacuations.

The fire started at 2:54 am above Jesenice and Sumpetar in the area of Staro Selo.

Around 150 firefighters with 50 vehicles are currently battling the blaze, supported by three Canadair aircraft and one Air Tractor.

According to the chief fire commander of Split-Dalmatia County, Ivan Kovačević, flames threatened several homes during the night but firefighters managed to save them.

Pave Tomić, the fire chief in Dugi Rat, told HRT that the situation remains serious.

“The fire is not under control and the affected area is large. We have no confirmed reports yet of destroyed residential or commercial buildings, and as far as I know there are no injuries. Our priority is to save houses and push the fire away from them, but we are far from bringing it under control,” he said.

Several people have been evacuated as a precaution, confirmed national fire commander Slavko Tucaković.

Due to the fire, the D8 Adriatic Highway has been closed to all traffic between Mutogras and Omiš since 6:15 am.

Police are diverting vehicles onto the route through Tugare and have also set up a traffic control point behind Stobreč to redirect drivers via Žrnovnica. Authorities have urged motorists to follow instructions from officers on the ground.

“The fire from Sumpetar is spreading towards the Krila Jesenice and up towards the old village! Hold on, people,” wrote MP Marijana Puljak, sharing photos on Facebook.

Strong winds are complicating firefighting efforts and have caused the blaze to spread towards Podstrana, local media report.

Fire crews remain on the scene and aerial support continues as authorities work to contain the fire.