BELGRADE, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Montenegrin authorities were on alert on Tuesday due to fires which continue to spread around several Montenegrin cities and tourist destinations, threatening to encroach upon people's houses and property.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic scheduled an extraordinary session for this evening with security services due to fires burning across the central and coastal region of the country.
A state of emergency has not yet been declared.
According to a statement from the Directorate for Emergencies of Montenegro published this morning, forest fires have been burning for several days and are spreading around the coastal cities, as well as some inland cities.
Fire brigades, who are working at full capacity, have not been able to get the fire under control. The most difficult situation is in Lustica near the Tivat peninsula where a 15-km-long blaze could lead to an evacuation of the area.
The villages of Djurasevici and Krasici are directly endangered and Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) reported that tourists and locals were trying to protect their property, while airplanes were attempting to extinguish the fire.
The Montenegrin government has appealed to the EU and NATO to send aerial support during the day to tackle the fire at Lustica, according to RTCG.
Numerous tourists and inhabitants were evacuated from Lustica by sea on Monday morning and evacuations could continue Tuesday.
