The Enduring Battle for Dalmatia's Green Soul

Spend any summer here in Dalmatia, and you'll quickly learn that while our coastline is breathtaking, there's a constant, silent threat simmering just beneath the surface: fire. It's an ever-present concern, woven into the fabric of life, especially as the temperatures soar.

Part of the challenge lies in our unique landscape. Long, long ago, these sun-drenched hills were cloaked in magnificent oak woods. But much of that ancient forest was cleared over centuries, leaving behind what we now know as Makija. This dense, evergreen shrubbery is beautiful in its own way, but it's also incredibly volatile – packed with sap, it ignites with alarming ease and burns at a terrifying speed. It’s a stark contrast to the cooler, calmer environment our oaks would provide, naturally dampening winds and slowing a fire's spread.

It’s a risk we locals live with daily. We're meticulously careful, deeply aware of the power of a single spark. Yet, we often find ourselves needing to remind our cherished tourists to take this threat just as seriously; a dropped cigarette or an unattended BBQ can have devastating consequences here.

Thankfully, we're not alone in this fight. Croatia boasts one of Europe's most efficient firefighting services, a truly remarkable force that battles these blazes with incredible speed and courage. Their aerial fleets and ground teams are often the reason our worst fears don't come to pass.

Still, a quiet longing persists for those ancient oak forests. Imagine a Dalmatia with shadier, cooler groves, calmer winds, and fires a much smaller worry. While the Makija has its place, the return of our mighty oaks remains a powerful, hopeful vision for a safer, greener future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3sjJKAs1bM&t=108s