Nearly 700 people were evacuated from the Adriatic island of Brac in Croatia due to a rapidly spreading wildfire, Croatian news outlets reported Sunday. The fire posed a serious threat to homes and tourist accommodations, particularly near the town of Milna on the island’s western coast.
Authorities and hundreds of firefighters worked overnight to contain the blaze and protect the local population. Despite initial confidence that the situation was controlled by Saturday, strong sea winds fueled a resurgence of the fire late Saturday evening.
Unpredictable Fire Behavior and Evacuations
The wildfire was first reported on Thursday but firefighting efforts were hindered by difficult terrain. Milna’s mayor described the night as disastrous, remarking on how quickly the fire destroyed everything in its path after reigniting with the wind.
Tourist ships assisted evacuation efforts overnight, as many visitors spent the night on beaches awaiting rescue. No fatalities occurred, though a 76-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after reportedly falling off a ship during evacuation. Another man was treated for smoke inhalation and later released.
Impact and Ongoing Response
Officials estimated the fire affected roughly 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres). While some structures suffered damage, a full assessment is not yet available. Firefighting planes remained active at the scene Sunday morning, and crews continued to work to prevent reignition.
Several government ministers and the head of the national firefighting service planned a high-level meeting with local officials to discuss the ongoing situation and coordinate response efforts.
