Fire near Miletina threatens village, two aircraft deployed to help

A large fire has engulfed the forested area near the village of Miletina, in the municipality of Brvenica, creating a risk that the flames could spread toward the settlement.

To deal with the situation, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue has made two “Air Tractor” aircraft available, and they have been dispatched to the area affected by the fire.

Firefighters from Tetovo are on the ground, but their work is being hampered by the difficult terrain, which is dangerous for intervention. The situation is being further aggravated by strong winds.

Stojane Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, said he had ordered two aircraft to take off toward Miletina. According to him, the aerial intervention is intended to create an opportunity for firefighters to enter the forested area and battle the flames.

“We have a large fire near the village of Miletina, which is threatening the settlement,” Angelov said in a video message.

Angelov also spoke about the situation in the Ramno area, on Skopjes Black Mountain, where the fire has been burning for two days. Residents in some parts of Skopje can smell the smoke, while strong winds are making it significantly more difficult to extinguish the fire.