Aircraft, helicopter and over 30 people extinguished wildfire near Lokvica in Macedonski Brod

Aircraft, a helicopter and more than 30 people took part in firefighting operations today on a long-running wildfire near the village of Lokvica in the Municipality of Macedonski Brod, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DPR) said as it published photos and video from the scene.

Operations and capacity

According to the DPR, crews worked deep in the mountain toward the Jasen hunting ground. The response combined ground teams and aerial assets: a larger DPR wildfire team composed of 25 volunteer firefighters and five DPR operatives, supported by three DPR Air Tractor aircraft and a Ministry of Interior helicopter that filled water from a modular pool to enable rapid refills and repeated drops.

"In the area above the village of Lokvica, Municipality of Macedonski Brod, deep in the mountain toward the hunting ground Jasen — moments from the action of a larger fire team of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue for fighting forest fires (25 volunteer firefighters and five DPR operatives) supported by three DPR 'Air Tractor' planes and a Ministry of Interior helicopter that was filling water from a modular pool, with very rapid filling and water drops," the DPR said.

The directorate reported that the blaze has been localized and several of its branches extinguished, but stressed that morning reconnaissance will provide a clearer assessment of the situation.

DPR director Stojanche Angelov earlier announced the installation of a modular water pool in the Municipality of Macedonski Brod to improve firefighting on difficult terrain. Angelov said the arrangement allows the helicopter to refill every three to four minutes.

The DPR shared both photos and video footage from the operation showing aerial drops and ground crews at work; authorities said they will monitor the area through further reconnaissance at first light.

Photo: DZS