A wildfire on Mount Konjuh has been active for three days, spreading through low vegetation and moving towards the town of Kladanj. While homes are not yet threatened, the thick smoke is causing respiratory problems for residents in nearby communities.

“The fire has approached the ‘Muska voda’ hotel. There are four active fire zones, one of which has been localized, while the other three remain active,” confirmed journalist Mirza Kuluglic for N1.

The smoke has descended into Kladanj, making breathing difficult for the town's residents. Despite the ongoing fire, large numbers of buses carrying worshippers are heading towards a pilgrimage site near the blaze. Today marks the traditional religious and cultural event “Days of the Maiden's Cave” in Brateljevici near Kladanj, which attracts thousands of believers and visitors annually.

“The problem is that people are being allowed into that narrow forested area where the pilgrimage site is located,” Kuluglic added.

Citizens and employees of the Public Company Sume TK are fighting the fire. However, Kuluglic emphasized that the workers from Sume TK lack the capacity and equipment to fully extinguish the fire, prompting a request for assistance from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Meanwhile, the Kladanj Fire Department confirmed to N1 that they are unable to assist due to their vehicle being out of service.

N1's editorial team was unable to reach the Mayor of Kladanj, Jusuf Cavkunovic, who is attending the cultural-religious event near the fire.