Angelov: Fire danger remains high; crews fighting blazes near Struga, Bogovinje and Shtip

Stojanche Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DZS), warned that the danger of wildfires in North Macedonia remains extremely high despite the arrival of September, and that the daily volume of fires is straining firefighters and field services. He said 26 separate open-space fires were recorded yesterday and that crews are active at multiple locations across the country.

Active incidents and response

A large wildfire is burning in the municipality of Struga near the villages of Lokov and Burinec, consuming low-stand forest, shrubs and thorny vegetation with a risk it may reach higher-quality forest stands. Teams from National Forests are on site, and Angelov said authorities are considering helicopter support, though its use is constrained by high daytime temperatures.

Late last night the situation in the municipality of Bogovinje, around the villages of Urvich and Jelovjane, was dramatic: the fire approached the village of Jelovjane at 1 400 metres above sea level. Thanks to the rapid intervention of Tetovo firefighters and local residents, the blaze was stopped at the road and the situation is now stable. "At this moment the situation there is stable, the fire is partially under control and does not threaten any populated place, nor has high-quality forest been affected," Angelov said in a midday video statement on the fires.

Near Shtip, a fire that broke out yesterday by the village of Selce close to the artificial Mantovo lake on Mount Serta is being fought by Shtip firefighters and the DZS volunteer fire team. A police helicopter operated this morning and helped bring one flank under control. "I expect it will be brought fully under control during the day, and then completely extinguished. The area affected is mostly low vegetation: grass, thorn, shrubs and other types of low vegetation," Angelov said.

Angelov urged maximum caution from the public, stressing that vegetation is dry and that only a single spark can trigger a catastrophe. "Despite the fact that today is 1 September and the school year begins, the danger of fires has not decreased. I appeal to citizens to be extremely careful," he added.

Authorities say the persistent high number of incidents is exhausting firefighting resources and other services working on the ground, and they continue to monitor conditions and redeploy teams where needed.

Photo: press material from the event