Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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Dalmatia is Croatia's most fire-prone region. The coast and islands sit on thin-soiled karst covered in Aleppo pine and macchia, and once the bora or jugo wind picks up, a fire can sweep across an entire hillside in a very short time. Around Split, Šibenik and Makarska, villages and campsites often sit directly against this flammable terrain, with little buffer in between.
This map plots every satellite heat detection over Dalmatia, including the islands of Hvar, Brač, Korčula and Pelješac and the hinterland behind Dubrovnik. It is a useful check before a coastal drive, a sailing trip between islands, or simply deciding where to base a beach day.
Hotspots come from the VIIRS instruments on NASA FIRMS satellites (NOAA-20, NOAA-21 and Suomi NPP) and are cross-checked against Copernicus EFFIS. A hotspot is a heat detection, not a confirmed fire: industrial sites, solar farms and permanent burners are filtered out automatically.
Split, Trogir and Makarska
Densely built coastline with pine forest reaching into residential neighbourhoods. Fires on Marjan hill and behind Makarska pose a direct threat to homes and can force closure of the coastal D8 road for hours at a time.
Zadar, Šibenik and the Kornati
Karst terrain covered in macchia and olive terraces; on the islands there is very little water available for firefighting, so crews rely heavily on aircraft and boats to bring fires under control.
Hvar, Brač, Pelješac and Dubrovnik
Pine forest rises directly above popular tourist bays. The hinterland behind Dubrovnik borders Bosnia and Herzegovina, meaning larger fires there are sometimes fought as a cross-border effort between the two countries.
Is there a wildfire in Dalmatia right now?
The map shows every hotspot detected over Dalmatia and its islands in the past 18 hours. Press Live refresh to pull in the newest satellite pass and see the current situation at a glance.
When is the risk in Dalmatia highest?
From June to September, with the most dangerous days coinciding with a dry bora wind. July and August are the peak months, which is exactly when the coast is at its busiest with visitors.
What should I do if there's a fire near my campsite?
Call 193 (fire service) or 112, follow instructions from campsite staff, and never drive up a hillside road towards visible smoke. Queues can build quickly on the D8 coast road, so leave early if you need to travel.
Are open fires and barbecues allowed in Croatia?
No. From 1 June to 31 October, open fires outside built-up areas are banned, including barbecues in forest or macchia and burning garden waste. Fines are steep, and liability for damage caused can follow.
Are the islands more dangerous than the mainland?
They are harder to fight fires on. Hvar, Brač and Korčula have limited firefighting water and often only one or two access roads, so fires there tend to burn longer and evacuations are more likely to happen by sea.
How does this map relate to the full Croatia map?
It draws on the same underlying data, simply zoomed in on Dalmatia. If you also want to check Istria, Kvarner or Slavonia, use the main Croatia map instead.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in Dalmatia?
Use the location finder on this map: type your destination, village or campsite name, or tap "Use my location". The map instantly shows the distance in kilometres to the nearest active hotspot, and you can switch on alerts for fires within 5 to 100 km. Every search gets its own link, so you can share the situation around your own address with family or fellow travellers.