Drone Grounds Firefighting Planes Near Vrsi, Blaze Also Breaks Out Near Novi Bokanjac
Air operations had to be halted due to an irresponsible individual, while the Municipality of Vrsi warns of illegal camping as a persistent fire hazard.
Air operations had to be halted due to an irresponsible individual, while the Municipality of Vrsi warns of illegal camping as a persistent fire hazard.
Two fires in Zadar County over the weekend raised alarm among firefighters and local residents. While firefighting crews battled a blaze on inaccessible terrain near Novi Bokanjac, an air operation near Vrsi was seriously jeopardized by an irresponsible drone owner.
A wildfire broke out in the area of Vrsi on August 2, 2026. The fire engulfed a pine forest managed by Croatian Forests, with crews from the Zadar Public Fire Brigade and volunteer fire departments from Nin, Sukošan, Ražanac, and Škropac Vrsi responding. Two firefighting aircraft were also deployed, and the blaze was contained the same day.
However, a serious incident occurred during the operation. "We appeal to all drone users, DO NOT fly drones near fires where Canadairs or Air Tractors are operating! This directly obstructs the intervention and puts the aircraft and their crews in mortal danger," the Vatrogasci 193 page announced. Until the drone descended, the Canadairs had to temporarily withdraw; fines for illegally flying a drone over a fire zone range from €600 to €20,000, and in more serious cases can result in criminal proceedings and imprisonment.
The fire once again brought attention to the issue of illegal camping in the pine forest, which poses a constant threat during the peak tourist season. The Municipality expressed gratitude to all services involved in extinguishing the fire. "I would like to once again extend sincere and great thanks to the county fire chief Matej Rudić, the Škropac Vrsi Volunteer Fire Department, and all firefighters whose swift and selfless intervention prevented far greater consequences," the Municipality stated.
They also highlighted the problem of limited resources for oversight: "The Municipality continuously conducts inspections and takes all measures within its jurisdiction, but one must be aware that we have only two municipal wardens who, at the height of the tourist season, simply cannot be everywhere at all times." The Municipality announced that it will request additional measures and enhanced oversight from the relevant institutions and called on citizens and visitors to report any observed illegal camping.
Just a day later, on August 3, 2026, after 1 PM, a wildfire broke out in the Zadar neighborhood of Bokanjac. Four Canadairs were dispatched to assist, as confirmed by county fire chief Matej Rudić. According to Boris Jović, commander of the Zadar Public Fire Brigade, low vegetation is burning, but the challenge is the inaccessible terrain that hampers ground-based firefighting. In addition to Zadar firefighters, members of the Nin Volunteer Fire Department are also involved, and the fire has approached to within a few hundred meters of the Novi Bokanjac business zone. There are currently no reports of threatened buildings or injuries.
Index.hr has sent inquiries to the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Firefighting Association, and their responses are expected.
