Forest fires in Croatia – charter tips

Johan Maier

The Croatian Adriatic coast is one of the most beautiful sailing destinations in Europe. At the same time, however, the height of summer is also the period when the risk of forest fires is at its highest. Long dry spells, high temperatures and strong winds mean that even small fires can develop into major blazes within a matter of minutes. The severity of the situation was highlighted by the serious forest fires in mid-August 2026.

The forest fires between Omiš and Makarska

On the evening of 13 August, a major fire broke out south of Omiš, near Lokva Rogoznica. Fanned by the bora wind, the fire spread rapidly along the coast. Among the areas affected were Lokva Rogoznica, Ruskamen, Medići, Mimice, Marušići and Pisak.

More than 1,000 hectares of woodland and scrubland were burnt. Numerous houses, vehicles and holiday accommodation were destroyed, and over 1,000 people had to be evacuated. Several fire-fighting aircraft and hundreds of firefighters were deployed for days on end. At the same time, another major forest fire broke out on the Pelješac Peninsula, forcing the emergency services to divide their efforts between several separate fire sites.

How forest fires affect yacht charter

Many charter guests initially think that forest fires are only a problem on land. In fact, however, their effects can also be clearly felt on the water.

I myself was sailing with a charter crew on the southern side of Brač whilst the fires were raging. As early as Thursday evening, the wind shifted to the north and carried smoke, soot and ash across Brač towards us. Overnight, a fine layer of ash settled on the saloon table, the deck and even our clothes.

Visibility deteriorated, and the smell of smoke was still clearly noticeable even several nautical miles from the actual fire area.

Depending on the wind direction, such effects can occur even many kilometres away from the actual fire.

Adjust route planning

In the event of active wildfires, your daily plans should be adjusted accordingly.

It is not just smoke and poor visibility that can cause problems. Firefighting aircraft, fire-fighting helicopters or closed-off coastal areas can also affect your planned route. You should therefore check the latest situation regularly and follow the instructions of the local authorities or your charter base.

If a fire breaks out in the immediate vicinity of your mooring or a planned anchorage, you should leave the area as early as possible. On a boat, you always have a safe escape route across the water – make the most of this advantage in good time.

A fire on board is particularly dangerous

Whilst forest fires usually appear spectacular, another danger is often underestimated: fire directly on board.

There are numerous flammable materials on a yacht. Plastics, upholstery, ropes, wood and fuels can cause a fire to get out of control in a very short space of time. At the same time, the wind on the water causes flames to spread particularly quickly.

That’s why you should always familiarise yourself with the safety equipment when you check in.

This includes, in particular:

• The location and number of all fire extinguishers
• The position of the fire blanket
• Main switches for electricity and gas
• Escape routes from all cabins

One important point is often overlooked: some aft cabins do not have a direct emergency exit to the outside. You should therefore check whether such cabins have their own fire extinguisher. If not, raise this with your charter company. In an emergency, a few seconds can make all the difference.

How to prevent forest fires

Most forest fires are not caused by lightning, but by human error. Even a small ember can be enough, in dry summer conditions, to spark a fire hours later.

Therefore, the following applies along the Croatian coast:

No campfires or open fires on beaches or in bays.

Avoid smoking ashore wherever possible – if you must, do so only on board, and never throw cigarette ends overboard or into the bushes.

Do not leave glass bottles, rubbish or other highly flammable items in the countryside.

Leave every anchorage spot clean.

The principle is simple:

Leave only footprints.

Unfortunately, forest fires have now become a regular feature of summer in Croatia. For charter crews, however, they rarely mean the end of the trip. If you keep an eye on the weather, adjust your route flexibly and follow the safety rules, you can easily avoid the affected areas.

At the same time, every water sports enthusiast bears responsibility for ensuring that a moment’s carelessness does not lead to a disaster. Being mindful when handling fire and carrying out a quick safety check at the start of the trip take only a few minutes, but can save lives in an emergency.