9.5 Hectares Burned Near Rijeka
Fire between Plas and Zlobin contained after difficult operation; firefighters faced rugged terrain and strong bora wind. Water was also delivered by Croatian Railways wagons.
Fire between Plas and Zlobin contained after difficult operation; firefighters faced rugged terrain and strong bora wind. Water was also delivered by Croatian Railways wagons.
After an overnight battle, firefighters managed to bring under control a forest fire that broke out on Friday, August 7, 2026, around 6 p.m. between the settlements of Plas and Zlobin in the Kvarner region. According to information from the field, the fire consumed 9.5 hectares, and the operation continued into Saturday, August 8, when crews remained at the scene for extinguishing and monitoring.
More than 40 firefighters with 16 vehicles took part in extinguishing the fire, and during the night that number rose to about 46. The main force consisted of members of the Public Fire Brigade (JVP) Vežica, with assistance from local volunteer fire departments. The task was extremely demanding due to the strong bora wind that constantly fanned the flames and hindered access.
Commander of JVP Vežica, Frane Žudić, explained the challenges they faced. "Extinguishing was particularly difficult due to the bora wind blowing in the Kvarner area. The strong wind hampered firefighters' work and increased the need for constant monitoring of the fire site," Žudić said. As a result, even after the fire was contained, a larger number of personnel remained deployed in the field.
An additional problem was the difficult access to the burned area. Only smaller fire trucks, which lack the capacity to carry large amounts of water needed for prolonged extinguishing, could reach certain parts of the fire site. Croatian Railways played a key role in solving this issue.
"The help from Croatian Railways was extremely important. Water was delivered to firefighters via wagons and a locomotive, which facilitated work on the inaccessible terrain and ensured supply during the night operation," Commander Žudić emphasized.
Although the fire is contained and no longer spreading, Žudić warned that the operation is not officially over. On Saturday, firefighters continued to inspect the terrain, cool down burned areas, and search for hidden hotspots that could reignite under the influence of the wind. It is expected that the work could be completed during the day, provided weather conditions do not cause new difficulties.
After a demanding night, a shift change was carried out, with rested crews taking over control of the perimeter and continuing systematic extinguishing. The final conclusion of the operation will only be declared once all hotspots are completely extinguished.
