After the blaze that started in pine woods on the Zrce beach on the northern Adriatic island of Pag in the night between Monday and Tuesday was put under control on Tuesday morning, the mayor of the town of Novalja, Ante Dabo, thanked all emergency services, notably firefighters, for their swift and efficient response.

The mayor praised the firefighting services for managing to contain the fire under the conditions of a strong gale with a speed up to of 120 kilometres per hour.

An investigation into the causes of this disaster could be conducted after the fire is completely extinguished, which is expected in the course of the day.

The local fire chief said on Tuesday morning that there were no any more flames, however, some parts of the woods were still smouldering.

The flames were put under control on Tuesday morning when when three Canadair planes started dousing the fire-hit area.

During the night a few thousand people were evacuated from Zrce near the town of Novalja.

There have been no reports on injuries.