The Government of Montenegro will seek aerial firefighting assistance from NATO, as fires continue to spread this evening in multiple locations, including around Podgorica, where several houses burned and multiple firefighters were injured during the day.
“According to the assessment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Directorate for Protection and Rescue, current available resources are insufficient for effectively suppressing the fires, especially in hard-to-reach areas and under conditions of high temperatures, strong winds, and drought,” the government announced.
The fires are currently active in the municipalities of Podgorica, Budva, Bar, Nikšić, Šavnik, and Bijelo Polje, and the main road from Podgorica to Nikšić has been closed to traffic.
The statement added that firefighting planes and helicopters are operating at full capacity, but due to the scale of the fires and limited technical capabilities, they cannot respond to all requests. “The forecast from the Hydrometeorological Institute indicates a continuation of unfavorable weather conditions in the coming days,” the statement said.
New Fires in Podgorica
The head of the Podgorica firefighters, Nikola Bojanović, told Television Vijesti that a large fire is active in Gornja Gorica, which led to the closure of the main road to Nikšić this evening. In the meantime, new fires have flared up in Kokoti, Smokovac, Kuči, Zeta, Dahna, and other locations.
Bojanović said that they have a new hotspot in Piperi this evening, after the fire in Đurkovići was partially brought under control in the afternoon.
Firefighters are making superhuman efforts to battle the blaze, and they are fearful of what the upcoming night and their biggest enemy—strong winds—will bring.
The fire that broke out today in Čanj is under control, and several fire crews are on duty on the ground this evening for preventive reasons, Aco Vulević, head of the Bar protection and rescue service, told Television Vijesti. In Bijelo Polje, the fire in the Biokovac – Grab area has been localized, while the fire in Žuber is currently under control.
One team of Bijelo Polje firefighters has been sent to Podgorica as reinforcement, according to Television Vijesti.
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Source: Nova.rs, Foto: Printscreen Youtube