When we lie down to rest, it is not a real sleep, we sleep with one eye open, because we know that a call could come at any moment. We are tired, but there is no rest, fires break out all the time and we have to be ready to go immediately.
This is how one of the firefighters, whom "Vijesti" reporters found in the Kuče area yesterday, described the situation on the ground.
While rescuers have been battling dozens of fires from south to north for days, yesterday was marked by tragedy: a 41-year-old sergeant of the Montenegrin Army died. Dejan Božović after the tanker overturned in Kuči, while his colleague Marko Ikovic is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of the Clinical Center.
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The most critical points yesterday were Budva and Bar (Buljarica and Čanj), and the fire is also burning in several locations in Podgorica (Kuča, Kakaricka gora, Piperi, Smokovac), as well as in Nikšić and Šavnik.
Aid in equipment and from the air is coming from the region and the European Union (EU) - Croatian and Italian "Canadians" have been deployed in Montenegro, Serbia has sent a "Kamov" helicopter, and aid has been announced from the Czech Republic, Hungary...
Two days ago, the government activated calls for international assistance - the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and bilateral cooperation, the NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), but also through bilateral cooperation...
Bereavement
Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović He said that the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Montenegro faced a heavy loss.
The accident, in which one soldier was killed and another was seriously injured, the minister said, occurred due to reduced visibility caused by thick smoke.
"While performing his duty, and in a firefighting operation in the Kuče area, our member, Junior Sergeant Dejan Božović from Danilovgrad, was killed. In the same accident, Sergeant Marko Iković suffered serious physical injuries, but his condition is currently stable, although he is facing a challenge, is undergoing pelvic surgery, and has a contusion of the lungs. Junior Sergeant Božović was a member of the 1st Infantry Battalion, married and a father of four children. He had been serving in the Army since 2006, and he performed the duty of a gunner on a 120 mm mortar," said Krapović, adding that Božović's name and deeds will be permanently inscribed in the history of the Army of Montenegro and in the memory of the state.
"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Božović family and send words of support and solidarity to his colleagues. At the same time, I wish Sergeant Iković a speedy recovery," said Krapović.
He pointed out that this accident showed that behind the uniforms are people who are willing to put their lives at the disposal of the state for the safety of everyone.
He explained that the accident occurred around 13 p.m., when the water tanker they were driving overturned and slid down a steep slope, next to the road to the village of Kupusci, in Kuči.
"According to the information we currently have, dense smoke reduced visibility and ultimately led to this very serious accident," he said.
Krapović indicated that the fire season "brought extremely difficult conditions and challenges for us."
"Our soldiers spend their days and nights in the field, side by side with their colleagues from the civilian services... It has been a continuous struggle since the beginning. The Armed Forces of Montenegro is always the first to respond to the most demanding situations. However, we often forget how risky the military profession is... The sacrifice of Junior Sergeant Božović reminds us that behind the uniform stand people, our fellow citizens, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters who are ready to put their lives at the disposal of the state for the safety of all of us," said Krapović.
"You just turn it off and then go again"
"Vijesti" reporters visited the most critical area in Podgorica - Kuče yesterday. It was impossible to even think that the fires were localized: the wind was rekindling the flames before the journalists' eyes.
Residents of the town of Sjenice, where the fire broke out yesterday morning, said that firefighters arrived almost immediately after they were called, and that their quick reaction prevented the fire from spreading to the houses.
They emphasized that they are immensely grateful for the courage and dedication they show day after day, especially in these critical days of the fire season.
"These people risk their lives to protect us and our property, and they work exhausted, for days without a real break. We appeal to the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament to increase their salaries and provide better conditions, because that is the least we as a society can do for them," he said. Slavko Ivanovic, the owner of the house that was in danger.
Near the Ivanovic houses, "Vijesti" found firefighters from the coast, who came around 15 p.m. to help their colleagues from Podgorica.
"We work 12, and often 24 hour shifts without stopping. When we lie down to rest, it's not a real sleep, we sleep with one eye open, because we know that a call could come at any moment. We are tired, but there is no rest, fires break out all the time and we have to be ready to go immediately. There is no time to relax, you just put out the fire, come back, and go again. That is our everyday life these days," said one of them.
Bar firefighters haven't slept for three days
Bar firefighters, with the help of colleagues, citizens and volunteers, managed to localize or completely extinguish all four fires in the territory of the Bar municipality.
Commander of the Bar Protection and Rescue Service Aco Vulević He told "Vijesti" and added that "they haven't slept for three days."
He emphasized that all the officers they have are in the field and no one is resting.
All fires, in extremely difficult conditions and during strong northerly winds, were contained without human casualties or serious injuries. Vulević emphasized that this is the most important thing.
The fire that broke out at the old intersection in Bar, between "Baranka" and the Railway Station, caused significant material damage - several truck trailers (refrigerated trucks) and a large number of truck tires burned down.
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Vehicles from the Port of Bar Protection and Rescue Service and the Army of Montenegro were on the scene at that location. Citizens, as well as some private individuals with their tankers, also helped in extinguishing the fire. President of the Municipal Assembly Branislav Nenezić He participated with the citizens in extinguishing the fire.
A tanker from neighboring Croatia helped bring the fire under control yesterday, filling it with water at Kraljičina plaža and delivering a quantity to Čanj on the way to Buljarica.
On Monday evening, the fire first broke out near Golo Brdo in Sutomore, and yesterday morning in Volujica. However, Bar municipality fire and rescue workers managed to put them out.
"The biggest problem was that we had to send teams to other locations, which we needed in Čanj, so we were wasting manpower and time," said Vulević.
Lack of equipment, foreign aid is arriving
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and the mayor of Podgorica Saša Mujović Yesterday they visited part of the area affected by the fires in Kuči.
The Prime Minister also expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier Dejan Božović.
"First, I would like to express my condolences to the family of the soldier who tragically died in a traffic accident on the way to the firefighting site. We are very saddened by such an event," said Spajić.
Speaking about the situation on the ground, he emphasized that firefighters, members of the Army, police, and emergency services are "true heroes."
He also said that numerous international partners are responding to appeals for help.
"We are proud of the fact that many countries have responded. We have seen how Serbia reacted very quickly, but also Croatia. We will also have help from other countries. The Czech Republic has announced the arrival of helicopters, Hungary has also announced help, the United Arab Emirates has announced help, while Austria will today send 130 rescue service members and soldiers, along with machinery and light helicopters," said Spajić.
He said that at yesterday's session of the Coordination Body for Protection and Rescue, a conclusion was reached that the Ministry of Defense should make all available capacities available, both in terms of equipment and personnel.
"Simply put, the equipment is what is definitely missing. The Ministry of Finance has also been informed and will approve all additional funds needed to accommodate additional people and equipment from abroad, so I think we will accelerate," he stressed.
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Mujović assessed that the situation was difficult and dramatic.
"It is difficult to watch Podgorica in flames. Such unfavorable weather conditions make extinguishing the fire even more difficult," he said, emphasizing the importance of unity in difficult times.
Mujović thanked the mayors of other municipalities who "stood by us, by Podgorica, offered us and sent their help in the form of personnel, fire trucks..."
Private companies from Podgorica, the mayor said, have also shown a huge level of social responsibility, donated and made their capacities fully available.
When to see a doctor
The Institute of Public Health announced that forest fire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants and poses a major threat to health.
They specified that short-term exposure to harmful particles can cause eye and respiratory system irritation, reduced lung function or inflammation and bronchitis, as well as worsening of asthma and other lung diseases, heart failure, and in the most severe cases, premature death.
"Elderly people, children, pregnant women and chronically ill people are at the greatest risk due to existing illnesses and weakened immune systems," they stressed.
Citizens were advised to monitor information on air quality and fires, and to limit their time outdoors, especially if visibility is reduced or if there is a smell of smoke.
"Close windows and doors in living and working spaces, use air conditioners and air purifiers with clean filters, avoid activities that further pollute the air indoors (frying food, candles, smoking, painting). Children, the elderly, pregnant women and chronically ill patients should adhere to prescribed therapy and regularly monitor their health. In case of difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain or dizziness - consult a doctor immediately," they emphasized.
EPA: It's hardest to breathe in Bar
In Montenegro, air quality has deteriorated due to a large number of active fires that have affected several municipalities in recent days, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.
It is stated that the highest concentration of PM10 particles (particles suspended in the air) in the recent period was measured at the measuring station in Bar, where the average hourly concentration was 160 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), recorded this morning at four o'clock.
"Also, the concentration of PM2,5 particles was very high during the same period and amounted to 155µg/m³, which indicates the possibility of a significant impact on health, especially for vulnerable categories, chronically ill people, the elderly and children," the statement added.
The EPA said that increased concentrations of PM particles were also registered at the measuring station in Block V in Podgorica, which, it is said, confirms that the consequences of the fire have caused a deterioration in air quality in the capital as well.
And reporters from "Vijesti" in the middle of the storm
At one point, the reporters of "Vijesti" were themselves surrounded by fire, the fire in Fundina flared up before their eyes, and thick smoke hid the way.
Within a few minutes, a column of about a dozen cars formed, revving could be heard, but the smoke made it impossible to see if the firefighters were arriving...
People were getting out of their cars, trying to make phone calls, and there were questions about the situation around the houses, as well as advice to water the yards.
Then the information arrived: it was impossible to cross Fundina, traffic was being suspended.
Locals immediately offered the reporters help, and one of them drove ahead on an alternative route that brought them safely to Bioč.
Spajić: Posthumously honor Božović, reward soldiers and firefighters
"In the midst of the fire disaster that hit Montenegro - we owe enormous gratitude to the members of the rescue services. Their efforts and dedication are highly appreciated and will be rewarded as such," said Prime Minister Spajić after the meeting of the Coordination Team for Protection and Rescue.
Spajić also thanked the Montenegrin Army for its contribution.
"The army also makes its maximum contribution in the field and unfortunately, in this noble fight for others, their member, soldier Dejan Božović, lost his life," said the Prime Minister, expressing his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased soldier on his own behalf and on behalf of the Government of Montenegro.
"We will propose to the Defense and Security Council that soldier Božović be posthumously decorated," said the Prime Minister.
He said that the Government will create a register of damage and, after receiving official estimates, will assist citizens whose property was damaged in the fires.
The Prime Minister said that the competent authorities are responsible for investigating the causes of these fires and, where it turns out that there is a human factor involved, they will demand that the perpetrators be punished in the most severe way.
"We will go a step further and, by amending regulations and penal provisions, send a message that there must be no tolerance for these acts in Montenegro, and that arsonists will face draconian prison sentences," said the Prime Minister.
He also thanked firefighters from municipalities where there are no active fires for their selfless assistance to their colleagues in fire-affected municipalities and appealed to other municipalities that have not already done so to send personnel and machinery as soon as possible. "For their heroism and patriotism, all firefighters will be financially rewarded."
The Prime Minister said that the Ministry of Defense and the entire Government have made all state resources available to the rescue services, and that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for finding funds for an adequate response to all activities related to the current situation.
"The coordination body will meet every 12 hours and receive reports from the field," the Prime Minister concluded.
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