Angelov: Wildfire Situation Has Worsened Significantly

The wildfire situation in open areas has worsened significantly today. Stojanche Angelov, director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD), announced that at least 21 fire outbreaks had been recorded this afternoon, most of which remain active.

Angelov cited the fire in the municipality of Makedonski Brod, in the Vidush locality near the village of Dragovo, as one of the most difficult incidents to tackle. He explained that the flames have not engulfed high-quality forest, but rather a rocky area covered with shrubs, thorns and dry grass, on terrain where movement is extremely difficult.

Angelov announced that a PRD unit consisting of volunteer firefighters specially trained to extinguish forest fires will be sent to the area tomorrow morning.

Serious fires have also broken out in the municipality of Studenichani, above the village of Morane. Three Air Tractor aircraft continue to operate there and remain in the field, while Skopje firefighters are also involved in the response, supported by four PRD teams equipped with Pinzgauer vehicles.

Another active fire has been identified above the village of Strahojadica, in the municipality of Zelenikovo, an area where a major fire broke out several years ago. Meanwhile, a large fire is spreading above the village of Manastirsko Dolenci, in the municipality of Kichevo, threatening the local monastery. Angelov expressed confidence that local firefighters would be able to stop the flames from advancing toward the monastery and said further information would be provided tomorrow morning.

According to him, the situation is also very serious in the Polog Region, where reports have been received of several fires suspected of having been deliberately started.

In the municipality of Jegunovce, near the village of Kopanica, the flames have engulfed forests and low-growing vegetation. In the municipality of Tetovo, near the village of Dzhepchishte, low-growing vegetation is burning, as it is near the village of Prshevce in the municipality of Tearce. A fourth fire is located in the village of Chiflik, in the municipality of Zhelino, where the flames have engulfed low-growing vegetation and mixed forests.

Angelov also reported active fires near the village of Topolchani, in the municipality of Prilep, where low- and high-growing vegetation is burning. Other fires are burning near the village of Makovo in the municipality of Novaci, near the village of Vrsakovo in the municipality of Shtip, and close to the village of Dragosh in the municipality of Bitola.

Emphasizing that other fires also remain active, the PRD director urged citizens to exercise the utmost caution. He said that high temperatures and low air humidity are creating all the conditions necessary for fires to break out.

Angelov said that, in addition to careless citizens, malicious individuals had also been identified during the day. According to him, this indicates that some citizens acting with malicious intent are responsible for starting a larger number of fires.