Waldbrand near Split: Fire brigade fights against devastating flames!

Waldbrand near Split: Fire brigade fights against devastating flames!

In the night on August 11, 2025, a large -scale forest fire broke out in the Jesenice region, east of Split, Croatia. The fire, which took its exit around 2 a.m., extends over a length of about three kilometers and is favored by violent Bora gusts, which make the extinguishing work significantly more difficult. Around 150 firefighters are used with 50 vehicles, supported by four Canadair extinguishing aircraft from the Croatian Air Force. Fire brigade commander Ivan Kovacevic reports heavy smoke development, but the situation is no longer dramatic. Despite the dangers, the fire brigade was able to largely protect residential buildings and other buildings.

The situation on site remains tense. The Croatian weather service warns of further strong to stormy winds that could favor the spread of the flames. While some villages are cut off from the power supply and there are numerous damage in agriculture- many olive and fig trees have been destroyed by the fire- no injuries have so far been recorded. However, some firefighters suffered slight smoke poisoning. The extinguishing work is expected to take several days.

damage and effects of the fire

The effects of the forest fire are noticeable in the area. While there has been no precise information about the extent of property damage so far, the consequences for agriculture in the region are clear. The fire not only affected agricultural areas, but also interrupted the power supply in several villages. The fire brigade works tirelessly to prevent possible attacks by the flames on surrounding houses.

In addition, the incident raises questions about the cause of the fire. According to various data sources, electrical causes of fire have increased in recent years. Statistics from the Institute for Damage Control and Damage Research (IFS) shows that from 2002 to 2021 around 33 % of the fires examined were caused by electricity. Insolation damage and technical malfunctions in particular can lead to high temperatures that can trigger fires.

The threat to the causes of electrical fire could also be relevant in the past against the background of the current “flame infinity” in Croatia, especially when you consider that electrical installations have been identified as a source of fire in the past. Safety tips to avoid fires emphasize the need for regular exams and the observance of manufacturer notes in order to avoid such catastrophic incidents.

The extinguishing work in Jesenice, where the flames have already devastated large areas, does not seem to be closed. The emergency services are expected to continue to be active in the region to banish the danger and minimize damage. Further investigations will be made about the exact causes of the fire after the extinguishing work.