Croatian firefighters fought through the night to contain a major wildfire on the island of Hvar after flames spread rapidly across difficult terrain and threatened residential areas in one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.
The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon near Ivan Dolac on Hvar, prompting authorities to mobilize all firefighting units on the island, supported by four firefighting aircraft.
According to the Jelsa Fire Department, the first emergency call was received at approximately 4:05 p.m., reporting a fire at a landfill site. Due to the rapid spread of the blaze, all available firefighting resources on the island were immediately deployed.
Firefighters said the situation quickly became critical, with strong winds and inaccessible terrain complicating efforts to contain the flames. At one stage, the wildfire threatened nearby homes, forcing emergency crews to prioritize the protection of residential properties.
“Most of the houses were saved, but unfortunately several yards and some older vehicles were destroyed,” the Jelsa Fire Department said in a statement.
Two firefighting aircraft were initially dispatched to assist ground crews, with two additional aircraft joining operations later in the afternoon as the fire continued to expand.
Although emergency teams managed to stabilize the situation by late evening, authorities warned that the danger had not passed.
“We entered the night somewhat calmer, but with great caution because the fire front remains extensive and difficult to access. Due to the bora wind, we must remain prepared for all scenarios,” firefighters said.
Additional reinforcements from mainland Croatia were expected to arrive on Sunday morning as authorities continued efforts to bring the fire fully under control.
The wildfire is the latest in a series of major fires affecting parts of the Balkans amid high temperatures and strong seasonal winds, raising concerns over another challenging summer fire season across the region.