The flames are slowly descending towards the houses in Stijena Piperska, and the wind is not helping at all, especially for the conditions here - the ground here is as dry as gunpowder, the locals of Stijena Piperska told "Vijesti" tonight.
The fire threatens to endanger more than a dozen homes, and it is a huge move that is being defended at this time.
They emphasize that their main problem is water.
"We only have bustiers that are not completely full," say the locals.
The line of fire stretches from the town of Radeća, locals say, for a length of more than 10 kilometers.
The Ministry of Interior's Directorate for Protection and Rescue unofficially told "Vijesti" that the wind triggered the fires in Piperi and Kuči.
"There are 15 firefighting teams in Piperi, and we have also called in six teams from other municipalities for assistance," the Directorate told "Vijesti".
Most of the units of the Podgorica Protection and Rescue Service were sent to Stijena Piperska because the strong north wind reignited the fire, the commander of the Podgorica Service, Nikola Bojanović, told "Vijesti".
He emphasized that the location was localized and stable, but that the strong northerly wind tonight was not favorable.
"We are all on alert," said Bojanović.
He previously said that the fires in Piperi were under control, but that there was no room for relaxation.
"We will be on duty, and vehicles are deployed at all critical points," said Bojanović.
The Directorate for Protection and Rescue of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro also announced earlier that the situation with fires in Montenegro is stable, but far from ideal, and fires were extinguished today in Beri and Bajramovica.
They emphasize that the situation at Kučki koriti is much better than it was during the day, and two military helicopters, firefighters, and locals are operating there.
"There are no open flames in Kuči, but the locals are certainly on duty. Kuči is well organized," Vijesti was told.
The position for rescuers and locals is more difficult and serious in Piperi, where there are still active fires, but at this moment they are not threatening lives or properties.
Fires are active in Danilovgrad, in Topolovo, where they burned throughout the day, but also in Nikšić in the towns of Banjani and Petrovići. The "Air Tractor" of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro has also been sent to Nikšić. The fire in Topolovo, near Danilovgrad, is also being extinguished from the air.
"The situation is being monitored moment by moment," Vijesti was told.
The Head of the Regional Unit of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue in Podgorica, Vojin Vojinović, said that as of 17 p.m., the situation regarding active fires on the territory of Montenegro was almost unchanged.
"The most complex situation is still in the Capital, in Piperi and Kuči. Of the new fires, we had a fire in Beri, which has been extinguished, and as for Dajbabska Gora, the active fire has already been completely extinguished several times and soldiers and volunteers are dousing that area. As for the municipality of Danilovgrad, there is an active fire in Topolovo, but we have completely cut off the road so that the fire does not spread towards Studeno and the cottages are not endangered. A new fire in that territory occurred in Bajramovica, but with air operations and firefighters and rescuers from Danilovgrad brought that fire under control. As for the municipality of Nikšić, after the operation of our Air Tractor aircraft, the situation is much better but that fire is still active. In Bijelo Polje, we have an active fire in Žuber, but we have redirected two military helicopters to that area and according to the commander and officers of the Directorate of the Bijelo Polje regional unit, the situation is much better," said Vojinović.
"The situation is not critical, but it is far from stable, and the wind is blowing," said the head of the Podgorica Capital City Protection and Rescue Service, Nikola Bojanović.
In the village of Kopilje, in Piperi, houses were saved from fire earlier today, with firefighters from Kotor and Switzerland being assisted by locals.
Part of the Kotor team has been in Piperi since yesterday morning. They first defended, as they told "Vijesti", Stijena Piperi, and today they are deployed to the Kopilje and Seoc areas.
The fire in the village of Kopilje was approaching houses earlier today, and in the village of Seoca the fire was descending towards the church.
The site in Seoci is being defended by Montenegrin firefighters, as well as a mixed team from Switzerland, alongside locals.
Video: Tina Popovic
Bojanović told "Vijesti" earlier today that the current situation in Kuči and Piperi is "more or less stable".
Bojanović, however, fears the predicted wind.
"The wind is forecast for today throughout the day, and it ignites a firestorm in an instant," he said.
According to him, all Podgorica firefighters and rescuers are still on the ground, and they also have help from colleagues from abroad and from the air.
The fire is not abating in either Kuči or Piperi, and firefighters are successfully defending the houses from the flames.
According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", yesterday, while extinguishing a fire in Piperi, firefighters were surrounded by a ring of fire, which they managed to break through with superhuman efforts, and at one point they received reinforcements from the air.
Previously, communication with the crisis headquarters was reportedly difficult, so they barely managed to communicate and request aircraft assistance.
"Yesterday, the fire in Piperi surrounded the firefighters at one point, which is why we 'launched' four aircraft to pull them out of the fire ring. Fortunately, both the houses and our and Austrian rescuers were saved," the Directorate unofficially told "Vijesti" (News).
There are currently several active fires in Podgorica, Nikšić, Danilovgrad, Bijelo Polje and Šavnik. In Podgorica, the most critical ones are in Kuči and Piperi, and in Nikšić, in the village of Petrovići.
When it comes to Danilovgrad, the situation in Topolovo is still difficult, while in Šavnik there is an active fire in the Lojanik locality, and in Bijelo Polje in Žuber.
An aircraft from the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior's (MUP) Air-Helicopter Unit is expected to provide air support at the Petrovići location in Nikšić.
Both helicopters of the Army of Montenegro are deployed in Kuči, and more than 20 soldiers are also providing support on the ground. "Vijesti" has learned that requests for assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, NATO's EADRCC Mechanism, and bilateral cooperation with Switzerland are still active.
A 50-member rescue team from Austria, according to the same information, will operate at the Stijena piperska location, while a Swiss team with 26 people and four vehicles is deployed at the Kopilje location, also in Piperi.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina helicopter will operate at the Bioče-Potoci location, and the Czech Republic helicopter, with a crew of seven and a payload of 3,4 tons, will defend Stijena Piperska, Kopilje and Seoce.
A Montenegrin plane and a Hungarian helicopter will most likely be sent to Nikšić.
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