The fire, struck by lightning on Saturday between Blato and Smokvica on Korčula, ceased spreading overnight thanks to rain, but remains not yet under control. Around 220 firefighters are deployed on the island, with the arrival of two canaders also expected.
The blaze has stretched approximately four kilometres in length and between one and a half and two kilometres in width, locally even more, through dense pine forest on inaccessible terrain.
Overnight, 10 to 13 litres of rain per square metre fell, which helped firefighters during the most difficult moments, according to the words of County Fire Chief Stjepan Simović. All forces remain on the ground, firefighters from Mljet have been activated, and reinforcements are arriving from Koprivnica-Križevci County, Krapina-Zagorje County, Zagreb County, and the City of Zagreb.
The state road Vela Luka — Korčula is open, but drivers are advised to use it only in emergencies.
