The start of the year in Serbia has turned into a fiery nightmare! So far, there have been 17 emergency fire incidents, with 8 of them raging in open areas. Vojvodina leads the pack in the number of fires, and the reason? Harvesting and burning of crop residues, which is strictly forbidden by law! The Serbian Ministry of Interior (MUP) is not joking – fines for irresponsible citizens can reach up to one million dinars! Inspector Ranko Pavlović from the Fire and Rescue Unit urges citizens to immediately call firefighters upon spotting a fire and to refrain from burning grass, low vegetation, or crop leftovers.
But Serbia is not alone in this fiery mess. In Montenegro, specifically in Cetinje, firefighters have been battling fires for five consecutive days, which, according to them, were not caused naturally. Commander Miloš Ćećanović clearly states that human factors are behind most fires, with suspicions of deliberate arson. The Protection and Rescue Service has already filed reports with the police on suspicions of arson.
The situation is alarming! Fires are consuming forests, meadows, and landfills, and in one massive fire near Golubac, around 50 weekend houses were completely destroyed! Firefighters and volunteer units are doing their best, but without citizen responsibility and law compliance, the fight is futile.
The MUP reminds that burning grass, low vegetation, crop residues, and garbage is strictly prohibited, with fines for individuals ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 dinars, and for legal entities up to one million dinars. Drivers are also urged not to drive through smoke and to immediately call firefighters, provide exact locations, and if possible, try to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers.
This fiery drama is not just a natural disaster but a consequence of human negligence and irresponsibility. While authorities strive to prevent catastrophe, some still play with fire as if it’s a game. Will we allow nature to burn because of irresponsibility? Or will we finally realize that every fire is a threat to our lives and property?
If you have ever seen a fire or know someone who recklessly sets fires, maybe it’s time to ask yourself – are you part of the problem or the solution? And you, dear readers, what do you think about these fines and fire incidents? Are the penalties enough, or do we need tougher measures? Drop a comment, spark a debate, but not a fire!
