Fire near the Strumica villages of Banica and Vodacha; 11 active hotspots nationwide

A fast-moving wildfire ignited this afternoon in the agricultural areas around the Strumica villages of Banica and Vodacha, and crews have cut firebreaks through fields with construction and farm machinery to prevent flames from reaching homes.

Stojanche Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, said Strumica firefighters are working at the scene and teams from neighbouring municipalities were called in to help bring the blaze under control, which is spreading rapidly because of the tall dry grass.

There are no burned houses in this fire; only one small outbuilding has been affected and it has not been completely consumed. No injuries have been reported. Angelov added that an elderly woman refused to leave her weekend house and was forcibly removed for her own safety.

Wider picture: 20 locations, 11 active hotspots

“I appeal not to create unnecessary panic. All fires look frightening, but when they are close to a town they look much more frightening because they are visible to many more people,” Angelov said. He reported that, nationwide, fires have been recorded at 20 locations today, of which at least 11 remain active, and that firefighters, volunteers and local residents are involved in suppression efforts.

Angelov also described several other ongoing blazes: grass and forest fires near three villages in the Prilep area, incidents in Kichevo, Vrapchishte and Mavrovo-Rostushe, and a fire spreading in Studenichani municipality toward the mountain village of Cvetovo that threatens a nearby storage building. He said a fire that broke out yesterday in the municipality of Zelino, in the area of the village Cerovo, is burning high on the slopes and could endanger nearby vineyards. “Previously I spoke with the commander of the Tetovo firefighters, who will send teams here,” he added.

Because daytime temperatures are approaching around 40 degrees Celsius, Angelov warned that the number of fires is likely to rise in the coming days and urged residents to clear tall grass and shrubs and to create firebreaks around homes and property.

By: Viktorija Jovanova
Photo/text: B.S.

Photo: press material from the event