Kitka fire most complex to extinguish; at least 33 open‑space blazes recorded yesterday

At least 33 open‑space fires were recorded yesterday, and authorities say the most complex blaze now burning is on Mount Kitka, the director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Stojanche Angelov, reported.

Angelov described several of the incidents as extremely difficult forest fires that ignited inside pine woods. "Among them we had several extremely difficult forest fires that broke out in the middle of pine forest. Such was the fire that broke out near the border with Bulgaria, on the territory of the municipality of Pehchevo, in the area of the village of Crnik. A difficult fire that I did not expect would be extinguished. Thanks to the excellent coordination of the mayor of Pehchevo, with the support of three 'air tractors' of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, this fire was first brought under control and then completely extinguished. Today it shows no signs of burning," Angelov said in an afternoon statement.

He also recounted a heavy forest fire in the area of the village of Bigla, roughly halfway between Makedonska Kamenica and Delchevo, which officials did not expect to bring under control easily. "It does not show signs of spreading; in some places it only smoulders in the burned area. Numerous teams engaged by the mayor are working along the line where burning stops, to prevent re‑ignition because the ground is full — maybe up to half a metre deep — of pine needles mixed with cones: extremely dry and easily combustible. There is also tall, tinder‑dry grass in many places," Angelov added.

Rain aided containment; five active fires remain

Rain that fell in several parts of the country yesterday helped extinguish a blaze developing above the village of Sushica, above Konjare, which had started earlier on the territory of the municipality of Kumanovo in the area of the village of Vince.

"At this moment we have at least five active fires. The most difficult, the most complex to extinguish, is the fire that is now burning on Mount Kitka — a fire we put under full control several times, a fire that was completely extinguished on a few occasions, a fire to which we dealt the final blow three days ago because for an entire day there was not a trace of burning. Unfortunately, some malicious people, people who out of greed or vindictive motives persistently set it on fire, again set a long line, which was impossible to put out quickly. These malicious people who set such a fire in such a place should know that by their behavior they risk killing other people, killing the residents of the numerous villages around and below Kitka," he warned.

Angelov appealed to local residents to be vigilant about people moving among them, saying there are indications that the arsonists come from the surrounding region.

Photo: press material from the event