LIVE: Fight Against Fires Continues

SOURCE: ANTENA M – AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

Firefighters continued battling fires at multiple locations across the country overnight. The most critical situation is currently in Kuči.
Aid from Austria arrived during the night, while assistance from Hungary is expected later today.
Authorities are urging citizens to report any sign of fire by calling 112 or 123, and to report suspected arson or irresponsible behavior at 112 or 122.
Tomorrow will be a day of mourning in Montenegro due to the death of soldier Dejan Božović.
Antena M will continue to follow developments live throughout the day.

13:27 – The Ministry of the Interior informed residents of the Fundina area and surroundings that 50 backpack fire extinguishers will be distributed today.

12:05 – New fires are constantly breaking out in Kuči
The situation with fires in the Kuči area remains unchanged.
This was just reported to Portal Analitika by the head of Podgorica’s Protection and Rescue Service, Nikola Bojanović.
“The situation remains difficult at several locations in Kuči; new fires keep breaking out,” he said.
One family was evacuated from Kuči during the night due to the risk of fire reaching their house.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the Capital City Assembly, Dragutin Vučinić, warned that the situation could again become critical in Piperi and requested that a helicopter be directed there.
“The fire has spread from Rogami north over Vežešnik and has already descended into Gornje Mrke. We urgently request a helicopter. If it spreads here, it will be critical in Gornji Piperi,” Vučinić stressed.

11:50 – Aid from Bosnia and Herzegovina arriving
Following last night's conversation between Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović and Denis Bećirović, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnian Presidency approved the dispatch of a helicopter and crew to help fight fires in Montenegro, according to Milatović’s office.

11:15 – Emergency press conference from the Ministry of Interior
Vojin Vojinović, head of the Podgorica Regional Unit of the Directorate for Emergency Management, said the most complex situation is in Podgorica and Danilovgrad. Fires are currently active in Stara Zlactica, Fundina, Kučka Korita, Medun, and Dinosha.

10:14 – Ćulafić: MERS and Eco-Fund to allocate €400,000 for fire-damaged homes
“As a minister—but above all, as a human being—I feel a deep obligation to react and help, especially at a time when Montenegro is burning and no one should stand aside,” said Minister Damjan Ćulafić.
“Therefore, we have decided that the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development and the Eco-Fund will allocate €400,000 for the repair and restoration of homes affected by the fires. This aid is intended for families who suddenly lost their homes, to help them return to normal life as soon as possible. So they know they are not alone,” he added.

09:25 – Krvavac: Government to decide on opening donor account for destroyed property
“In these days when our country is facing unprecedented fires, on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office and the government as a whole, we thank all those who have offered and are offering support across the country,” said Branko Krvavac, Chief of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister.
To ensure all help is properly directed, the government will decide today whether to open a donor bank account.

09:11 – Tripković: Fire in Banjani extinguished, fire still burning in Duga
“Regarding the field situation, we have just received information that the fire that broke out yesterday in Banjani has been extinguished; teams reported it was put out early this morning and are now returning,” said Goran Tripković, commander of the Nikšić Fire and Rescue Department.
He said an active fire remains in the Duga area, specifically in the Sjenokosa region.

08:45 – Marković: Critical situation in Stara Zlactica
Marko Marković, a firefighter from Podgorica, told Boje jutra on TV Vijesti that teams were in Kuči all night and received help from other municipalities.
“New fires are constantly breaking out. We managed to protect homes, which is most important. Our teams are currently at Stara Zlactica, protecting houses. We have new fires in Kučka Korita and Fundina. The most critical area is currently Stara Zlactica. An airplane is also extinguishing the fire,” he said.

08:38 – Bešović: Aircraft redirected to fire in Danilovgrad
The situation in Piperi and Kuči is more stable this morning, and aircraft have been redirected to the fire currently active in Danilovgrad, said Miodrag Bešović, Director of the Emergency Management Directorate.
Fires are active in the regions of Studeno, Topolovo, Topolica, Jablan, Kružnica...
The Danilovgrad Rescue Service said they are defending cottages in this mountainous area from the flames.
Bešović also said the fires in Piperi are localized, while some are still active in Kuči.

08:30 – Podgorica firefighters received over 2,300 calls in the past 48 hours
Podgorica’s Fire and Rescue Service reported they received over 2,300 calls in the past 48 hours—over 40 hours of active phone conversations.
They urge citizens to use number 123 exclusively for reporting fires.
“It is important to clearly state what is burning and where, and to answer the dispatcher’s questions briefly and clearly,” they said, adding that for all other inquiries, citizens should contact the service administration.

08:23 – Firefighters request power shutoff; parts of Zlatica, Rogami, Mosor without electricity
At the request of the Fire Service, the 10kV “Military Camp” power line was shut down due to fire along the transmission route, CEDIS reported.
Areas without electricity include Mosor, parts of Zlatica and Rogami, Smokovac, Peuta, Gornja and Donja Vrbica, Repeater Sjenica, and parts of Medun.

07:57 – Mićanović: Most fires under control, Kuči remains most critical
Zlatko Mićanović, head of the Operational-Communications Center of the Directorate for Emergency Management, said on RTCG’s morning program that fires in Podgorica are under control, but the situation is most critical in Kuči, with three active locations, where a helicopter from Serbia and a Montenegrin aircraft will be deployed today.
He said an Austrian team arrived overnight, with more arriving today, and a helicopter from Hungary is expected around 3 PM.
Mićanović noted that most fires are now under control, with blazes in Nikšić, Bijelo Polje, and Danilovgrad municipalities localized, and only one active fire in the Šavnik municipality.
“Currently, the most critical situation is in Kuči, where a Serbian helicopter and Montenegrin aircraft will be deployed this morning,” he reiterated.
He described the night as intense and dynamic.
“About 100 members of the Austrian ground module are arriving and will be deployed to areas where they are needed,” he said.
He also warned that panic exists among citizens and appealed to the public not to act as if they know what the state should do.
“Don’t light fires outdoors, and mow the grass around your homes,” he urged.