About 230 people evacuated on Croatia’s Brač Island due to fire
About 230 residents and tourists were evacuated overnight from the town of Milna and surrounding settlements on Croatia’s Adriatic island of Brač due to a forest fire. The blaze, driven close to residential homes in the west of the island by strong winds, destroyed about 3,500 hectares of pine forest and scrubland, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Evacuation from areas near Milna
An alert for residents and tourists in Milna and nearby settlements was issued shortly before midnight. People from areas near the town threatened by the flames were evacuated by port authority vessels, maritime police and private boats.
Croatian agency Hina, citing Fire Service Chief Slavko Tuchakovic, reported that firefighters managed to protect a large number of residential buildings and ensure the safety of local residents and tourists. According to him, the fire damaged facades and awnings, while two people suffered minor injuries.
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Aircraft deployed to fight the fire
The National Fire Command said that after an extremely difficult night, the situation had noticeably improved by morning. Since the morning, four Canadair aircraft have been deployed to drop water on the fire.
More than 220 firefighters, supported by 69 vehicles, worked at the scene overnight. According to Hina, the area of pine forests and scrubland destroyed by the fire is about 3,500 hectares.
The source also notes that a very hot and dry summer in Croatia created conditions for the rapid spread of wildfires. Scientists have warned that climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels is making periods of extreme heat and drought more frequent, intense and prolonged.
