Large Forest Fire in Croatia: Fire Covers Large Area on Korčula Island

A massive forest fire has raged in the southern part of the Croatian island of Korčula in the Adriatic Sea. The fire, which broke out in the area between the settlements of Blato and Smokvica, has covered a significant area of dense pine forest in difficult-to-access terrain.

According to information from the Croatian fire service, 160 firefighters are participating in the fight against the fire. Although overnight rains temporarily slowed the spread of the flames, the situation remains unstable due to strong winds and the terrain's relief, which complicates the work of firefighting aircraft.

Due to the incident, the main road connecting the towns of Korčula and Vela Luka was temporarily closed. Although the road has reopened today, the Croatian Automobile Club has urged drivers to use it only when absolutely necessary while the operation to contain the fire continues.

What this means for the region: The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of the Adriatic region to summer fires, which not only threaten ecosystems but also directly impact tourism infrastructure and road safety in the region.