Firefighters are on the scene at the Jovici fire station, and the HVZ is appealing to the public and tourists.

A wildfire broke out near the village of Jovići in Zadar County, Croatia, prompting emergency services to deploy multiple firefighting resources to contain the blaze. According to the Croatian Fire Service (HVZ), the fire erupted in open terrain and quickly spread through dense vegetation and oak forest. Firefighters have been working on-site since the afternoon, with reports indicating that the fire briefly threatened several homes before being successfully kept away from them. The incident has drawn attention from both local residents and tourists, who have been advised to exercise caution due to the ongoing situation. The fire service has issued an appeal urging citizens and visitors to avoid approaching the fire site for filming or photography, as this could endanger individuals and hinder firefighting efforts. Emergency responders have confirmed that the fire is currently under control, though it has not yet been officially declared contained. Firefighting teams from various regions have been mobilized to assist in managing the blaze. Units from the Public Fire Department in Zadar and Pag, along with volunteer firefighters from Povljana, Ražanac, Jasenice, Posedarje, Vrsi, and Nin, have joined forces on the ground. In addition, aerial support has been deployed, including one Canadair and one AirTractor aircraft. These aircraft are playing a crucial role in dropping water bombs over the affected area. According to Slavko Tucaković, the chief firefighter commander, the fire initially posed a threat to nearby homes but was effectively prevented from reaching them. He noted that the Canadair and AirTractor aircraft would continue their operations on the Dinara mountain range after addressing the current fire near Zadar. If necessary, these aircraft could be redirected back to the Dinara area depending on the evolving situation. Matej Rudić, the commander of the Fire Service Community in Zadar County, described the rapid spread of the fire through thick brush and oak forests on rocky terrain. He emphasized that all threatened structures had been successfully protected, and the priority now is to localize the fire. The fire service continues its efforts to manage the blaze, focusing on containment rather than complete extinguishment at this stage. The fire service received reports of the incident in Jovići-Slivnica on August 16 at 2:15 PM. Approximately 50 firefighters were deployed using 17 vehicles from the Zadar Public Fire Department, Zadar Fire Department, and Pag Fire Department, alongside volunteer units from Ražanac, Pljusak Nin, Posedarje, Škropac Vrsi, Sv. Martin Povljana, and Jasenice. Aerial assistance came from two AT Fire Boss aircraft and one CL-415 plane. Although the fire is under control, it has not yet been classified as localized, and the extent of the burned area remains unassessed. Meanwhile, another active fire continues to burn on the Dinara mountain range near the village of Polača. This fire was reported on August 14 and involves 19 firefighters using nine vehicles from the Šibenik Public Fire Department, Knin Fire Department, and volunteer units from Kijevo. Four CL-415 planes are providing aerial support. Despite the challenging terrain, conditions on the fire site have improved significantly today. Firefighters are continuing their efforts to suppress the fire near Jovići, supported by two AirTractor aircraft. They will remain on standby overnight, ensuring continued monitoring of the situation. By the end of the day, they expect the situation on Dinara to stabilize further, with additional air support assisting the ground crews. Throughout the day, firefighters have been actively managing fires at other locations, including Lokve Rogoznice, Kune Pelješke, Dugi Otok, and Galovc, with stable conditions reported at all these sites. With favorable weather conditions promoting the spread of wildfires, especially due to strong winds along the coast, the fire service has reminded citizens to exercise caution and avoid starting fires in nature. They have also urged tourists and residents to stay clear of fire zones to ensure personal safety and facilitate the work of emergency personnel. In case of a fire, residents are instructed to immediately call the fire department at 193.