Blaze engulfs Shtip–Kocani expressway; motorists urged to avoid route
A major roadside blaze tonight stopped traffic on the Shtip–Kocani route while numerous fire engines work to extinguish flames from the carriageway.
A large fire broke out tonight along the Shtip–Kocani expressway, forcing a complete halt to traffic on the route as emergency crews work on site.
On-the-ground response
Multiple firefighting units are operating from the roadway itself, deploying hoses and equipment to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent vegetation and infrastructure. Authorities say the intervention involves a significant number of fire engines.
Officials have urged motorists to avoid the expressway and use surrounding local roads and alternative routes while crews contain the flames and clear the carriageway.
Local emergency services continue to assess the situation and coordinate traffic diversion; exact reopening times have not been provided while suppression efforts are ongoing.
The country has been dealing with multiple wildfires today: the fire that affected Skopje is now under control, and firefighters from Tetovo battled another blaze all day in what authorities described as hellish conditions.
Photo: Radio Kochani / Fejsbuk / skrinshot
