More fires in Croatia than last year: Alert area increased by 75 percent
The number of fires in Croatia has increased compared to last year, according to preliminary data from the Croatian Fire Service Association as of August 10. Over 8,832 fires have been recorded by this date, representing a 7.6% increase over the same period last year. Despite this rise, most fires are being quickly extinguished due to rapid response efforts, which prevents them from becoming large-scale incidents. The fire chief, Slavko Tucaković, emphasized that while there are many fires, they are mostly contained before they spread significantly. This includes several instances where multiple fires were extinguished within a single night without major damage. The increase in fires is attributed to improved preparedness and quick deployment of both ground and aerial firefighting resources. Coastal areas have seen a particularly significant rise in fires, with a 24% increase compared to last year, and the total area burned is up by around 73%. Although the overall fire season appears less intense due to fewer large fires reaching public attention, the situation remains under close monitoring, especially regarding developments in neighboring Herzegovina.
In the first ten days of August, Croatia recorded 8,832 wildfires, marking a 7.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the Croatian Fire Department. Despite this rise, Chief Fire Commander Slavko Tucaković emphasized that the perception of fewer large fires is misleading. The rapid response of firefighters has largely prevented these incidents from escalating into major blazes, leading to a lower number of widely publicized wildfires. Tucaković explained that while there have been many fires, they are often extinguished quickly before they can spread significantly. He cited several examples, including four wildfires that occurred during one night and were contained without causing widespread damage. These cases illustrate how early detection and swift action have minimized the visibility of such incidents in the media. “There are many fires, even more than before,” he stated. “Every day, a large number are quickly extinguished, caught early, and we prevent them from becoming big fires.” The effectiveness of this strategy is attributed to the prompt deployment of both ground and aerial resources whenever a serious incident is reported. On Brač, two air tankers were immediately deployed, and fire crews in Dubrovnik managed to contain a blaze covering approximately 6,000 square meters overnight. Tucaković also highlighted larger fires, such as the one near Slunj, which affected around 100 hectares. In just 24 hours, firefighters responded to approximately 140 interventions, demonstrating their readiness and efficiency. According to preliminary analysis by the Croatian Firefighters' Union, over 9,000 fires were recorded this year, with the number of open-area fires increasing by about 13 percent compared to last year. There was a particularly sharp rise in vegetation fires, which increased by 23.4 percent. The total area burned rose by 75 percent, reaching 9,646 hectares. This indicates that the current fire season is not calmer in terms of the number of incidents, though the impression of fewer large fires may stem from the effective containment of smaller ones. Tucaković noted that the high number of small fires, due to quick responses, means they rarely escalate to significant proportions or gain wide public attention. He added that the combination of high temperatures and strong winds, conditions that facilitate rapid fire spread, requires continued vigilance. “We must remain prepared,” he said. Fire services are currently monitoring a wildfire in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is spreading under the influence of strong winds. Tucaković mentioned that his team had sent personnel to assess the situation and would make decisions later in the day. He also pointed out that deploying Croatian firefighting resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires resolving international aid issues, specifically through the CECIS mechanism and the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism. The consequences of the fires have included 23 fatalities and 145 injuries. According to the State Fire Operational Center (DVOC), the number of fires recorded from the start of the year to August 10 was 8,832, with the area burned rising sharply to 9,646 hectares. The increase in vegetation fires was particularly notable, with 3,897 such incidents recorded, a 23.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Fires affecting open areas increased by 13 percent, from 4,933 to 5,574. Meanwhile, fires on structures remained almost unchanged, with 2,569 reported, and vehicle-related fires decreased slightly to 689, down two percent from the previous year.
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