ZAGREB, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen people were injured as a massive wildfire swept through wooded and residential areas in southern Croatia's Split-Dalmatia County on the Adriatic coast, the Croatian Firefighters Association said Friday.

This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2026 shows a massive wildfire near the coastal town of Omis, Croatia. At least 1,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated after a massive wildfire spread into the coastal town of Omis in southern Croatia, local media reported early Friday. (Photo: PIXSELL via Xinhua)

The fire broke out late Thursday in Lokva Rogoznica, near the coastal town of Omis, and quickly spread through grass, low vegetation and pine forest. The blaze approached residential buildings, with flames soon reaching several nearby settlements and destroying houses.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated from affected areas overnight, local authorities said.

Several houses and numerous vehicles were destroyed by the flames, and up to 1,000 hectares of land burned near Omis, said Slavko Tucakovic, the country's chief fire commander.

Several roads in the area were closed due to the wildfire, disrupting traffic along the coast.

As of Friday morning, 286 firefighters and 93 fire engines were battling the blaze, with reinforcements sent from several counties.

The wildfire came after weeks of high temperatures and drought across Croatia this summer, which left vegetation extremely dry and heightened the risk of fires.