Two Suspects Arrested for Starting Fires in Makedonski Brod and Dolnen

Two people have been taken into police custody on suspicion of starting fires in open areas in various parts of Pelagonia and western Macedonia.

Officials from the Makedonski Brod Department of Internal Affairs arrested G.S. (45), a resident of the village of Greshnica in the Municipality of Makedonski Brod, on August 7, 2026, at around 12:00 p.m.

Police suspect that the 45-year-old had also started fires in open areas on several previous occasions. That same day, at around 11:30 a.m., he was caught in the area between the villages of Greshnica and Slatina, where he is suspected of having started another fire.

Another arrest was made on August 7, at around 5:00 p.m. In the village of Sarandinovo, in the Municipality of Dolnen, police officers from the Prilep Department of Internal Affairs detained G.A. (76), from Skopje.

The 76-year-old is also suspected of starting fires in open areas.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the relevant criminal reports would be filed against both individuals once the cases had been fully documented.

In recent weeks, police have stepped up their activities to address cases of fires in open areas because of the possibility that the flames could spread quickly and endanger residents, forests, farmland and property.

The competent authorities are urging citizens to exercise extra caution and avoid any action that could cause a fire. They are also calling on people to report any observed fire or suspicious behavior without delay to the police or the relevant services.