VIDEO: Massive wildfire reaches Omiš as flames spread to town centre

(Screenshot/Vatrogasci – 193)

**This article will be updated (down the page)***

OMIŠ, 14 August 2026 – A major wildfire that broke out near Lokva Rogoznica south-east of Omiš on Thursday evening spread rapidly towards the coastal town overnight, threatening homes and other buildings and prompting the evacuation of around 1,000 residents and tourists.

The fire started at around 8.20pm and intensified within hours as strong winds pushed the flames towards Omiš. By the early hours of Friday, the fire had reached the Borak area, just above the town centre, with flames reported close to the heart of Omiš.

Firefighters said the changing wind was making the situation particularly difficult, with flames spreading in different directions. Parts of Omiš were also left without electricity during the night.

A total of 157 firefighters and 44 fire engines were deployed overnight in Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš, with additional forces sent from several Croatian counties and Zagreb. The national fire service ordered an emergency deployment of mainland firefighting units to reinforce crews already working in the area.

At least 10 people were reported injured, including two seriously, while one person was taken to hospital with burns.

The fire caused significant material damage, with homes, vehicles and other structures reported to have been destroyed or damaged. Images from the area showed burned-out cars and buildings as the flames reached residential parts of the town.

The Adriatic coastal road (D8) was closed in the affected area, while traffic restrictions were also introduced on the Omiš bypass.

An evacuation centre was opened at Omiš’s Ribnjak sports hall, where people were provided with beds, food, water and other essentials. Additional accommodation was prepared in nearby Makarska if required.

LATEST:

12:20pm

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the wildfire spread extremely quickly, with the situation changing from minute to minute due to hurricane-force winds. He said maximum efforts were being made to contain the fire and all relevant emergency services were involved in the crisis response, with decisions being taken in real time. If necessary, additional forces, including the Croatian Army, Croatian Roads and other services, would be deployed.

He said the fire had spread from one settlement to another within minutes because of the strength of the wind, while smoke could still be seen and felt in Omiš. Croatian Forests were also involved in the firefighting operation.

Asked about the possible cause of the fire, Plenković said he did not want to speculate, stressing that the police should be given time to determine the cause.

10:15am

19 people were injured, between 900 and 1,000 hectares of land burned, a thousand people were evacuated, and the damage has yet to be assessed, but the situation is calmer now, reported Chief Fire Chief Slavko Tucaković.

8:00am

A total of 36 people received medical attention for injuries sustained in last night’s fire at Split Clinical Hospital. After medical treatment, 14 patients were hospitalised, while the rest were discharged for home care, the hospital said.

7:30am

Satellite images reveal extent of fire near Omiš

Satellite images from the OroraTech system have revealed 200 hotspots in a large fire near Omiš that is spreading from Lokva Rogoznica towards the coast and hinterland.

OroraTech

7:25am

Chief Fire Chief Slavko Tucaković spoke to Index.hr this morning. He said that there is no longer any open fire in the Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš areas and that around 200 people were evacuated during the night.

The Adriatic Highway and the bypass have been closed, and drivers are advised to use alternative traffic routes.

7:10am 

Chief Fire Chief Slavko Tucaković told Radio Sljeme that several houses, as well as a large number of cars and boats, were burned in the fire, which will cause enormous material damage.

“I am currently touring the fire site and I really see everything. The fire front is huge. We hope for the wind to calm down and for firefighters to arrive in the morning to stop the fire front. The fire has caused great material damage in this area,” Tucaković said.

You can see video footage below.