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CatastropheMontenegro

Balkan countries gripped by heatwave, wildfires

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August 12, 2025

Extreme heat is causing wildfires and prompting high-level weather alerts across several Balkan countries. Hundreds of firefighters are working in scorching conditions to extinguish the flames.

Emergency crews in Montenegro and Albania are battling fast-moving wildfires fueled by extreme heat and wind. Near Podgorica, residents narrowly escaped as flames engulfed homes. In southern Albania, locals pleaded for air support as inaccessible terrain hampered firefighting efforts. With temperatures soaring above 40°C, the risk of new blazes remains high.

Irfan Aftab Journalist based in Berlin at DW News English & Urdu covering global affairs, society & culture.
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