Heat and Harvest Season Increase Firefighter Callouts in Tetovo

Rising temperatures and harvesting work in the fields have led to more frequent callouts for firefighters in Tetovo. The Territorial Firefighting Unit responds to at least ten incidents a day, with farmers burning crop residue after harvesting responsible for the fires in 90 percent of cases.

Avni Ameti, head of the Territorial Firefighting Unit in Tetovo, said a large number of fires are recorded during this period because farmers set fire to the residue left after the wheat harvest to clear their land. According to him, Tetovo firefighters alone respond to around ten incidents in a single day.

Ameti said firefighters are unable to take leave during this period. The seventh and eighth months of the year are considered the fire “season,” so the entire team must remain mobile. He also emphasized that significant support is provided by the substations in Tearce and Bogovinje.

In addition to extinguishing fires, crews have also been called to respond to incidents involving reptiles. Avni Ameti said snakes have been found both inside homes and in yards, urging residents to exercise caution. However, he clarified that the snakes found in the Polog region do not pose a threat to human life.

In recent days, two cases of snakebite have been recorded at the surgery department in Tetovo./Alsat/