Fire near Nogaevci controlled, director suspects arson
Veles crews, locals and two air tractors fought the blaze; director Stojanche Angelov says police will investigate.
Firefighters from Veles have brought under control the wildfire near the village of Nogaevci, while the director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Stojanche Angelov, said he suspects the blaze was deliberately ignited and that police will investigate.
Angelov told reporters that his suspicions rest on statements given by local residents.
In the operation to contain the fire, Veles firefighters and residents of the surrounding area took part. Two air tractors also intervened; each made a single water drop on a critical spot at the request of the commander of the Veles firefighting unit.
Risk during forest entry
Angelov said that the single drops by the air tractors allowed the Veles crews to enter a pine stand to reach and extinguish the flames, an action that exposed the firefighters to a certain degree of risk.
“Early this morning the detailed extinguishing of this fire will continue,” Angelov said, adding that no firefighters were injured.
Authorities reported that fires were also active in Skopska Crna Gora, near Matejche, and along the Lepenec river, where crews remained on alert.
Photo: press material from the event
