Wildfire Rages Across Croatia’s Brac Island as Crews Battle Strong Winds
A major wildfire is continuing to burn on the Croatian island of Brac, where firefighters are battling flames that have spread across a large area of forest, scrub and grassland.
The fire broke out near the village of Ložišća and has been pushed toward the Milna area by strong winds, making containment efforts more difficult. Croatian authorities issued emergency warnings as the blaze approached populated areas.
By Saturday, authorities estimated that around 1,500 hectares of woodland and low vegetation had been affected. Fire crews have been working to prevent the flames from reaching settlements, while officials have continued monitoring areas considered vulnerable to further spread.
A large firefighting force has been deployed to the island. Croatian authorities reported that 176 firefighters and 53 vehicles were involved in the operation, supported by several aircraft capable of dropping water on the fire.
The difficult terrain has added to the challenge. Much of the affected area is inaccessible to ground crews, requiring firefighters to concentrate their efforts on stopping the blaze from advancing toward inhabited locations.
Authorities previously prepared for a possible sea evacuation of residents from threatened areas after the fire moved toward Ložišća and Bobovišća. However, the evacuation was ultimately not required, and residential buildings were successfully protected.
The situation around Milna remains closely monitored because changing winds could alter the direction of the flames. Emergency teams are continuing both active firefighting and efforts to secure areas where the fire has already passed.
The Brac wildfire comes during a difficult period for Croatia’s firefighting services, which have faced numerous significant fires during the 2026 season. The latest blaze has demonstrated how quickly strong winds can turn vegetation fires into a major threat on Croatia’s Adriatic islands.
Firefighters are expected to remain deployed until the remaining active areas are brought under control and the affected territory can be safely monitored for possible flare-ups.
