In August 2025, the country is experiencing large-scale fires that have temporarily forced people to forget about beach vacations and focus on rescuing people, animals, as well as residential homes and hotels. A series of powerful forest fires has engulfed the central and southern regio...
In August 2025, the country is experiencing massive wildfires that have temporarily pushed beach holidays out of mind and shifted attention to saving people, animals, as well as homes and hotels. A series of powerful forest fires has swept through the central and southern regions, becoming a warning sign not only for local residents but for all of Europe.
Fire hotspots and their spread
The first reports of fires in August 2025 quickly escalated into reports of a national disaster. The most critical situation developed inthe central and southern parts of the country. Fires were recorded in the immediate vicinity of the capital,Podgorica, which led to the urgent evacuation of residents from some areas north of the city. Not only housing stock was under threat, but also the ruins of the ancient city of Doclea, where army units were fighting desperately to preserve this important historical heritage. Senior emergency services officer Nikola Bojanović called the situation “catastrophic,” stressing that strong winds were fanning the flames, making them practically uncontrollable.
An equally alarming situation was observed on theAdriatic coast, which is the country’s economic breadbasket. Fires were burning above the popular resort ofČanj, and betweenBuljaricaand Čanj the situation was especially critical. In one case, the fire came within just 50 meters of a hotel, putting the safety of tourists and infrastructure at risk. Authorities also reported active hotspots in other municipalities, includingBudva, Bar, Nikšić, Šavnik and Bijelo Polje, indicating the unprecedented scale of the crisis, which affected almost the entire country.
A small story of a big rescue
Against the backdrop of the overall tragedy, stories of courage and selflessness stood out. One of the most striking episodes took place on August 11 in the Kufin area, where a forest fire broke out dangerously close to an abandoned animal shelter. Despite the intense flames and extremely difficult conditions, firefighting crews carried out a successful operation andprevented the fire from reaching the shelter, saving both the building itself and the animals inside. Fire brigade commander
praised his subordinates’ actions, while the shelter owner, Dr. Alen Hadžetlić, gratefully noted the dogs’ calm behavior during the emergency.
This story shows how, in the midst of a large-scale disaster affecting a vast area, every individual rescue matters enormously. The fire in Kufin, like the other blazes, was intensified by strong winds.This local factor, mentioned in the shelter rescue report, was confirmed at the national level, where officials named it as one of the main reasons for the “catastrophic” situation.
All available resources were deployed in the fight against the fire, including aerial equipment. A vivid sign of the intensity of those days was the photos and videos showing a firefighting helicopter taking water from the Morača River in the Podgorica suburb of Stara Zlatica before returning to the fire hotspots.These images underscore that the battle against the blaze was fought not only on the ground but also from the air, requiring maximum coordination and effort.
Causes of the August 2025 fires
Climate context: Europe’s heatwave
The August fires in Montenegro were part of a broader and dangerous phenomenon — the European heatwave sweeping across the continent. In southern France and the Western Balkans,air temperaturesrose above 40°C, creating ideal conditions for ignition and rapid fire spread. This was not an isolated case: 2025 was forecast to be the second or third warmest year on record. Scientists note that Europe is warming almost twice as fast as the rest of the world, leading to more frequent and more intense heatwaves and, as a result, a record number of fires.
Local factors and historical vulnerability
Climate trends are compounded by Montenegro’s geographic features. According to experts, the country’s coastal and central regions are high-risk zones due to specific bioclimatic conditions, high summer temperatures, and low rainfall. This vulnerability is not a new problem. Over the past 15 years, 1,007 major forest fires have been recorded in Montenegro, destroying 15,300 acres of forest. The years 2000 and 2003 were particularly critical; in 2003 alone, more than 300 fires broke out in the country, burning about 2,500 hectares of forest. These data indicate that the August 2025 events are not an anomaly, but a predictable consequence of a long-term combination of climatic and natural factors.
The human factor
Despite the obvious role of climate, the authorities do not rule out the human factor. Montenegro’s Ministry of the Interior urged citizens to immediately report any firesto 112 or 123(the general emergency and fire service number). It was separately emphasized that in the event of suspected arson or irresponsible behavior, people should callthe police at 122.
The authorities also reminded the public of the strict ban on lighting fires and using pyrotechnics, especially under heightened risk conditions. These appeals indicate that negligence or deliberate action may have triggered some of the fires, making human behavior a critical element in preventing such tragedies.
International assistance: an example of solidarity
The scale of the disaster was so great that Montenegro appealed to the international community through NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.The response was immediate:
Serbiasent a five-ton Kamov Ka-32 helicopter to the country.
Croatiaoffered assistance in the form of a Canadair amphibious aircraft.
Operational support from neighboring countries became a powerful example of regional solidarity. In addition, the Government of Montenegro promised financial assistance to affected citizens.
Useful information: what to do in case of a fire?
These events serve as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness. Here are a few tips based on official recommendations:
Prevention.Clear dry grass, branches, and flammable items from around your home.
Prohibitions.Never light fires outdoors or throw cigarette butts in the forest.
During a fire.If the fire is approaching your home, close windows and doors, remove anything that could catch fire, and cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth to protect yourself from smoke.
Montenegro emergency numbers:
Unified emergency number:112.
Fire service:123.
Police (to report suspected arson):122.
Volunteer organizations: how you can help
Important:direct involvement of untrained citizens in firefighting carries extreme risk and may interfere with the work of professional teams. This is a generally accepted principle in disaster management. Fighting fires requires special training, appropriate equipment, and a deep understanding of fire behavior. For this reason, untrained individuals are strongly advised not to attempt to extinguish fires on their own.
Nevertheless,the Red Cross of Montenegroactively engages volunteers to provide assistance not directly related to firefighting. Volunteers can help with food distribution, temporary housing, and emotional support for evacuees. Applications to volunteer or donate can be submitted througha special form on the website, providing personal details and preferred areas of activity.
There are alsograssroots communitiesinvolved in firefighting. They need funds to buy respirators, protective suits, radios, and fuel for deployments. If you wish to help, you can make a donation by contactingthe administrator of the NISAM TURISTA initiative group.
August 2025 showed that even in the most beautiful and peaceful corner of the world, nature can reveal its harsh power. The main lesson is that we must prepare for such events in advance, and this applies not only to the authorities but to each of us.
