Wild dump fire near Stenkovec aerodrome blankets Skopje in black smoke

Thick black smoke covered parts of Skopje on Sunday afternoon after a new blaze broke out near the Stenkovec sports aerodrome. The fire is burning a wild dump where accumulated waste is feeding a large, smoldering front that produces dense, foul-smelling smoke.

Regional fires complicate response

Stojanche Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DPR), said Skopje firefighters are already on scene at Stenkovec trying to contain the blaze.

"It is rising black smoke like an atomic bomb. Skopje firefighters have arrived on site. A larger area is affected and dry grass is burning; it will be difficult to contain. It has been active for a long time, burning accumulated waste, which will produce even more smoke, denser smoke, and in the coming period Skopje residents will feel an even stronger smell of smoke," Angelov said.

Officials warned the Stenkovec fire adds to an already difficult situation across the Skopje region, where several separate hotspots are active. Wind has been carrying smoke from a larger fire in the Ramno area of Skopska Crna Gora, which has been burning for two days.

Angelov also described operations at Ramno, in the Municipality of Chucher-Sandevo, where crews have struggled to control flames because of strong winds. "Behind me is the large smoke from the fire in the area Ramno, on Skopska Crna Gora, in the Municipality of Chucher-Sandevo. For two days we have been trying to bring it under control, but the strong wind further worsens the situation. The wind is blowing towards Skopje and the smoke is spreading towards the city. Part of Skopje already feels the smell of smoke. During the day we are also operating with a police helicopter. Skopje firefighters are there, supported by Pinzgauer vehicles of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, and 30 members of the Army are also on site. Their task is to prevent the fire from crossing the road. At the moment there is no danger to the surrounding villages. The fire is in a very deep valley, about 1,600 meters long, and it will be a problem to bring it under control. There is a lot of smoke in the valley, which does not allow action. I expect the smell of smoke to be felt as long as the wind blows in this direction. From the UHMR this afternoon a northwest wind is expected, so the smell should be felt for several more hours, until the evening hours," Angelov said.

Authorities say the presence of accumulated waste at Stenkovec and the simultaneous complex at Ramno make firefighting difficult. Emergency teams continue working with ground crews, aerial support and army units to stop the spread; residents are advised to expect smoky conditions while winds blow toward the city.

Photo: ДЗС)