Angelov: I expect the fire on Mount Zheden to be brought under control today

The Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DPR) announced that more than 30 fires in open areas were registered during yesterday, which keeps emergency intervention personnel on high alert and prompts a renewed appeal to citizens to be careful.

"During yesterday we again had over 30 fires in open areas, which means their number is not subsiding. Therefore I once again appeal to all citizens to be extremely careful, because a single spark is enough for a real catastrophe. Although meteorologists predict localized showers this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon, vegetation is far too dry and therefore caution is needed," Angelov said.

During yesterday, four fires were recorded in the Strumica municipality which, thanks to the rapid response of the firefighting teams, were completely extinguished, preventing greater danger to populated areas.

Interventions and protection of the settlement

"Last night we had four fires in the territory of the municipality of Strumica. Thanks to the quick and brave intervention of the Strumica firefighters, all of them were quickly extinguished. Although the fourth of them, which took place in the cadastral area of the village of Kuklish, threatened that village — it reached the first houses — thanks to the brave and selfless reaction of the Strumica firefighters, with the support of the Radovish and Valandovo firefighters, a catastrophe that could have occurred in that village was prevented. There was a danger to the houses, but also to the agricultural areas around the village," Angelov emphasized.

Regarding the fire on Mount Zheden, Angelov noted that the blaze is spreading toward the village of Radusha, but at the moment there is no direct threat to populated areas.

"The fire that has been burning for several days on Mount Zheden is now moving in the direction of the village of Radusha. It is burning on difficult-to-access, rocky terrain — grass, shrubs, thorns. At this moment this fire does not threaten any village. I expect that during today the Tetovo firefighters from the Tetovo side and the Skopje firefighters from the Skopje side will bring it under control and extinguish it. Yesterday several Pinzgauer vehicles of the Directorate with the fire teams also worked on this fire. They are also made available today as support to the Skopje and Tetovo firefighters," Angelov said.

According to the latest data from the Center for Crisis Management, of the 31 fires in open areas registered by 7:30 this morning, five are active and one is under control. Twenty-five fires have been extinguished. All additional and detailed information will be distributed through the Center for Crisis Management's regular briefings.

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