A wildfire that started at Lokva Rogoznica on the evening of 13 August spread overnight towards Omiš. Here is the confirmed situation, what it means for travel on the coast road, and where to check before you set off.
Checked: 14 August 2026
This page is a factual update, not a travel recommendation. People have died and lost their homes here. If you are planning to pass through the area, the practical part comes first.
Roads: check before you drive
On 14 August the Croatian Auto Club reported that traffic on the Omiš bypass (DC553) towards Makarska was interrupted because of the fire. Closures on the coast road change through the day as crews work, so the club's live road status is the only source worth trusting for a departure decision. If you are heading from Split to Makarska or further south, allow for the inland route over the motorway instead of the coast.
What not to do
- Do not fly a drone anywhere near a fire. Firefighting aircraft have to stop work when a drone is in the air, and that costs hours.
- Do not drive to the fire area to look. Every parked car on a narrow coastal road blocks a fire engine.
- Emergency number in Croatia is 112. For a fire you can also call 193 directly.
What happened, as of 14 August
The fire broke out at Lokva Rogoznica at 20:15 on 13 August and was pushed towards Omiš overnight by strong wind, reaching the settlements of Ivašnjak, Staro Selo, Pod Vajle, Nemira, Stanići and Medići. Croatian media reported one death, around forty injured with several in critical condition, more than two thousand people evacuated to reception centres in Omiš, Split and Makarska, and roughly a thousand hectares burnt. The head of the fire service described it as one of the most severe fires in Croatian history.
By midday on 14 August the fire service reported that the situation at Lokva Rogoznica had improved and the fire was no longer spreading, with 210 firefighters and 61 vehicles working on containment, supported by Canadair CL-415 aircraft and Air Tractors. Some of the aircraft were then redirected to a second fire that started that morning at Kune Pelješke on the Pelješac peninsula. Numbers in a running fire change by the hour, so treat everything on this page as a snapshot and follow the official sources below.
Watch
Omiš on video
A short official city film to help you picture the place before you go.
Omiš: try it all or just relax
Frequently asked questions
- Is the coast road past Omiš open?
- On 14 August traffic on the Omiš bypass towards Makarska was interrupted because of the fire. The situation changes through the day, so check the Croatian Auto Club road status before you set off rather than relying on a map app.
- Should I cancel a stay near Omiš?
- That is a question for your host and for the civil protection authorities, not for a travel site. Contact your accommodation directly, since they know whether their settlement is affected, and follow the Civil Protection Directorate for evacuation orders. Reception centres were open in Omiš, Split and Makarska on 14 August.
