When Bosnia Burns - Heatwaves, Fire, and Rural Life Under Pressure

An Englishman in the Balkans is a weekly podcast about the people, places and everyday life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told by David Bailey, who has lived here for more than 25 years. New episodes arrive every Tuesday.

Bosnia heatwave, extreme heat in Bosnia, rural Bosnia, Laktaši, Mostar fire, Blidinje fire, and climate change in the Balkans shape this episode of An Englishman in the Balkans.

Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, temperatures are pushing towards 40°C, orange weather warnings have been issued, and daily life is being reshaped by heat, fire risk, water worries, and pressure on local services.

In this reflective episode, I look at how the current heatwave is affecting communities across the country, from the landfill fire near Mostar and forest fires in Blidinje, to the quieter but very real pressures felt in rural areas like Laktaši.

This is not just a story about weather. It is about village life, public services, Bosnia’s complicated administrative structure, rural vulnerability, neighbourly care, and the practical realities of living through extreme heat in a country where local connection still matters.

It is also a reminder that extreme weather shows us where the cracks are, but also what still holds.

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