After eight days of battling wildfires across multiple Montenegrin municipalities, the situation is stabilising, but officials warn the danger is not fully over. All fires are now under control, aided by recent rain near Podgorica, which helped firefighters, the military, and locals. However, the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.
The fires caused significant destruction, including damaged farms, vineyards, crops, and outbuildings, with no official tally of destroyed homes and properties available yet. Despite the rain, authorities urge caution due to continued dry conditions and the risk of new fires.
Rain missed parts of Danilovgrad, where active fires in Topolovo and Stružnica continue to challenge firefighters, with multiple helicopter water drops attempted. Fortunately, the affected areas are remote, sparing summer homes so far.
This fire season is possibly the worst in decades, with severe ecological and economic consequences. Ivana Vojinović, director of the Climate Change Centre, highlighted tragic human loss, destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and devastated biodiversity. She warned that the fires increase the risks of erosion, landslides, and floods.
This summer, one of the hottest on record, saw prolonged heatwaves and droughts creating ideal conditions for intense fires. While human activity remains a primary cause, climate change is worsening the problem, a challenge expected to continue into the future.
