Angelov: Wind spreads fire from Kosovo toward Graçan, Skopje covered by smell of smoke

The wildfire situation in the country remains alarming. According to the director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate, Stojançe Angelov, firefighting teams and other responsible services faced over 41 fires during yesterday alone.

Light rain showers in some areas helped ease the situation, but their impact on the teams’ work was only partial.

One of the hotspots that required major commitment was the fire on the territory of Shtip, between the villages of Selcë and Puhcë. It had started several days earlier, but yesterday afternoon it went out of control and spread rapidly under the influence of strong winds.

Additional forces were immediately sent to the field, and firefighters, after intensive efforts, managed to contain the fire during the evening. Work on the fire line continued without interruption throughout the entire night.

Angelov announced that this morning the fire was under full control, although hot spots continued to appear at some points. Shtip firefighters, supported by teams from the Protection and Rescue Directorate, are working to extinguish them.

Teams will remain on the ground throughout the day, as rising temperatures and strengthening wind during the afternoon could create difficulties again.

Meanwhile, during the night a large fire crossed from the territory of Kosovo into Macedonia and is advancing toward the village of Graçani.

The fire front stretches over a length of more than five kilometers. Skopje firefighters are in the area, reinforced by teams from the Protection and Rescue Directorate, who are trying to establish partial control and protect the surrounding villages.

Although there is currently no direct danger to inhabited areas, Angelov stated that the smell of the fire can be felt even in some parts of Skopje.

New hotspots have also been reported on Mount Kitka, on the Skopje side, but within the territory of the Municipality of Studeniçan. Fires are active near the villages of Koliçan and Cvetovë, where Skopje firefighting teams are intervening. Some of them are expected to be brought under control soon, while in one of the areas the difficult and inaccessible terrain may prolong the operation.

Another serious situation is unfolding on the border between the Municipality of Struga and the Municipality of Dibra, near the villages of Lukovë and Burinec. Due to the possibility of the flames approaching inhabited areas, a military helicopter with a large bucket was deployed early this morning and carried out interventions on the ground during the morning hours./Telegrafi/