Forest fires happen every summer in Croatia. They are often dramatic and generate big headlines, but with some simple preparations and precautions, there’s nothing to be afraid of. This is our guide to staying safe from forest fires.
Be informed
- The forest fire season in Croatia usually begins in early July and ends in early September.
- Most fires are concentrated in Istria and along the Dalmatian coast.
Be prepared
- The chances of being caught by a forest fire are low, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
- Pay attention to weather alerts for forest fires, air quality and warnings for fire-prone conditions.
- Know the risks of a forest fire in your area. If you are in a fire-prone region, prepare an emergency plan for yourself and everyone in your household so you can escape quickly.
- Prepare a go-bag of necessary items such as passports and medicine in case you need to leave in a hurry.
- Have Covid masks on hand to help prevent smoke inhalation.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance which covers forest fires.
Prevent forest fires
- The best way to keep yourself safe from forest fires is not to be in a forest fire in the first place, and not create one yourself.
- Never leave glass bottles outdoors during the day, especially near flammable materials. Glass can focus light and create fires.
- Be cautious handling flammable materials such as cooking gas, cooking oils, rubbing alcohol, aerosols and hand sanitiser.
In case of fire
- If you receive instructions from authorities to evacuate, follow them immediately. Stay calm and bring only essential items with you.
- If unable to evacuate from fire, find a place indoors away from smoke and call emergency services. In Croatia and across the EU, the emergency number is 112.
- Protect your shelter by clearing all debris and flammable material for at least ten metres around it. Close all windows and doors to block smoke from entering. Turn on lights to help firefighters locate you.
- If escaping from fire, unless instructed otherwise by authorities, retreat into the wind or to bodies of water such as the sea or a lake.