🕒 Last updated on August 12, 2025
Montenegro is battling intense forest fires in several parts of the country. Over the past few days, flames have been spreading quickly in forests, hills, and coastal areas. The fires are made worse by very high temperatures, strong winds, and a long period without rain.
Fires spread across the country
According to the Montenegrin authorities, the fires have been especially dangerous in locations that are difficult to reach. This makes it hard for ground teams to control the flames. Firefighters are working non-stop to protect people, homes, and important areas from destruction. In some places, houses have already been saved after firefighters managed to stop the fires just in time.
On the outskirts of Podgorica, the capital, teams have worked day and night to keep flames away from residential areas. There has been an evacuation of some locals to safer areas. On the coast near Budva, a popular tourist area, the fires have forced emergency crews to focus on keeping the blaze away from villages and resorts. In the north of the country, around Bijelo Polje, firefighters are battling another large fire that continues to spread through dry vegetation.
To aid in fire containment, the Montenegrin Army has joined the effort. Soldiers are assisting with firebreaks and transporting water to remote areas. The fires have caused significant material damage, destroying large areas of forest and threatening rural communities.
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Air support pushed to its limits
Montenegro’s own planes and helicopters have been flying at full capacity to drop water on the fires. However, the government says the country’s aerial firefighting resources are not enough to cover all the affected areas. The number of fires and their locations make it impossible for local teams to respond everywhere at once.
Because of this, Montenegro has officially requested international help. The appeal was made through the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, which is part of NATO, and through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Requests have also been made directly to other countries under existing bilateral agreements.
The call for assistance comes as weather forecasts predict more difficult days ahead, with continued high temperatures, strong winds, and no rain. These conditions mean the fires could spread further if they are not brought under control quickly.
Support from neighboring countries has already started to arrive. A Canadian helicopter from Croatia is expected to join the firefighting efforts. Serbia has sent a Kamov helicopter, which landed in Podgorica and immediately began water-bombing the fires from the air. These aircraft are particularly important for reaching areas that ground teams cannot access due to steep slopes or thick forest.
Despite these reinforcements, the scale of the disaster remains a major challenge. Firefighters are facing dangerous situations, and several have been injured while working to control the flames.
Criticism and government response
The growing crisis has sparked criticism from some civil society groups, who say the authorities were too slow to act and did not take the danger seriously enough at the start. They have also pointed out that many government officials are currently on collective leave, even as the fires worsen.
In response, the Montenegrin leadership has stated that the government is fully committed to helping those affected by the fires. They have promised to provide assistance to citizens who have lost property or suffered other damages. The authorities have also expressed gratitude to all those who are risking their lives to protect the population, including firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers.
The fires have already caused major damage to homes, farmlands, and forests. Entire communities are now focused on saving what they can, while emergency teams work around the clock to stop the fires from spreading further. The country’s appeal for help to NATO, the EU, and neighboring states highlights the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for additional resources.
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As Montenegro waits for more international aid, local crews continue to fight on multiple fronts. Every available aircraft, vehicle, and firefighter is being used to protect lives and property from the fast-moving flames. The coming days are expected to test the limits of the country’s emergency response system as it faces one of the most severe wildfire outbreaks in recent years.