Full Breakdown
Wildfire on Brac Island Forces Mass Evacuation of Hundreds
By Drooid · · How we work
The blaze and its immediate threat
A rapidly spreading wildfire erupted on the western coast of Brac, a Croatian island in the Adriatic, endangering homes and tourist facilities near the town of Milna. The fire was first reported on Thursday, but inaccessible terrain hampered early suppression efforts. By Saturday night, a sea wind intensified the blaze, prompting authorities to declare a “monster” fire that threatened to engulf the area.
Evacuation by sea
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Rijeka, together with the Split Harbour Master’s Office, launched a coordinated maritime rescue at 9:56 p.m. on September 12. Four rescue boats from Split and its stations in Milna, Hvar and Makarska, supplemented by vessels from the Croatian Coast Guard, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, tourist operators and private boats, ferried evacuees to safety. By 4 a.m. on Sunday, roughly 700 people—including children, elderly and vulnerable individuals—had been evacuated by sea, according to the Split Harbour Master’s Office.
Scale of the response and damage
- Firefighters: Over 220 firefighters and 69 vehicles combated the fire overnight.
- Aerial assets: Four specialized firefighting planes remained on scene.
- Area burned: AFP estimated the fire affected about 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres).
- Injuries: One 76-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after falling from a ship during evacuation; a 27-year-old man received treatment for smoke inhalation and was released.
- Property: Officials confirmed some buildings were damaged but deferred a full assessment.
Official response and ongoing actions
Croatian authorities reported that, as of Sunday morning, there were no active “open fires,” though crews continued to patrol the terrain to prevent reignition. The national firefighting service, two government ministers and local officials are slated to meet later that afternoon to review the incident and outline further measures. The meeting is expected to yield additional information on containment progress and future prevention strategies.
Verbatim quote
> “Last night was a disaster. It was simply impossible,” — Frane Lozic, Mayor of Milna