Fire Near Zadar Under Control: 12 Hectares Burned
The fire broke out on Monday after 1 p.m. in the area between Bokanjac and the waste disposal site in Diklo, and was contained around 5:30 p.m.
The fire broke out on Monday after 1 p.m. in the area between Bokanjac and the waste disposal site in Diklo, and was contained around 5:30 p.m.
A large fire that broke out on Monday, August 3, 2026, in the area between the Zadar suburb of Bokanjac and the waste disposal site in Diklo was brought under control and contained the same day. The fire ignited shortly after 1 p.m., and numerous firefighting units, along with air support from four Canadair planes, were involved in extinguishing it.
According to information from the command of the Zadar Public Fire Brigade, the intensity of the fire decreased after 3 p.m., and its spread was halted. The fire was fully brought under control shortly before 3:30 p.m., and was finally contained around 5:30 p.m.
A dense pine forest and low vegetation on difficult-to-access terrain caught fire, with the blaze breaking out just a few hundred meters from the Novi Bokanjac business zone. Thick clouds of gray and black smoke were visible from almost all parts of Zadar, and according to witnesses, the smoke could even be seen from the island of Ugljan. Ash fell everywhere, and one citizen told 24 sata: "The smoke is very strong, it's thick, ash is falling everywhere. We see many fire trucks, and the Canadairs are constantly flying over, but the smoke doesn't let up."
Members of the Zadar Public Fire Brigade responded immediately after the report, and were soon joined by volunteer fire departments from Nin, Sukošan, and Ražanac. In addition, the Intervention Fire Brigade was also deployed. After 4 p.m., there were around forty firefighters with 15 fire trucks at the scene.
County Fire Commander Matej Rudić confirmed to Antena Zadar that buildings were currently not threatened. "A dense pine forest is burning near Bokanjac, with the Zadar Public Fire Brigade, the Zadar Intervention Brigade, and the volunteer fire departments of Sukošan, Nin, and Ražanac on the ground. Four Canadairs are operating from the air, and we are doing everything to bring the fire under control as soon as possible. Buildings are not threatened at the moment," Rudić stated.
The Ministry of Defense sent air support. In the initial phase of the fire, two Canadairs were operating from the air, but due to the challenging terrain and the spread of the fire, two additional aircraft were deployed from the Zemunik base, bringing the total to four Canadairs fighting the fire. After 4 p.m., when the intensity of the fire decreased, two air tractors continued to operate from the air, while firefighters on the ground soaked the edges of the fire zone.
Zadar Public Fire Brigade Commander Boris Jović told eZadar: "The intensity of the fire has decreased and its spread has been halted. There are still sporadic open flames, two air tractors are extinguishing the fire from the air, and firefighters are soaking the edges. We are cleaning up the terrain. The fire is not yet contained." This statement was made before the final containment.
According to Tportal, 12 hectares of dense pine forest and low vegetation were burned in the fire. There were no reports of injuries during the operation, and residential and commercial buildings were not directly threatened, although the fire came dangerously close to the Novi Bokanjac business zone.
