Skopje firefighters sent to battle large blaze near Mariovo

A convoy from the City of Skopje Fire Brigade left this afternoon for the Mariovo area to assist with a large wildfire that has re‑ignited in the Prilep sector, the city mayor announced.

Reinforcements arrive at request of the protection directorate

The assistance was dispatched after a formal request from Stojanche Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue. Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski posted on social media that the teams will join firefighters already battling the blaze on the ground.

"When Macedonian land is burning, there are no borders. There is only one duty — to stand together, to help each other and to protect every human life, every home and every inch of our homeland. These people go straight into the fire, with courage and with a single purpose: to save lives, homes, forests and entire villages," Gjorgjievski wrote.

Fire crews from Prilep, teams from the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and volunteers from several towns are already operating at the scene. Authorities say special attention is focused on protecting villages in Mariovo after the fire entered parts of Chanishte; Krushevica has also been cited as a critical point.

Extinguishing efforts are hampered by inaccessible terrain, tall dry grass and gusting winds that are causing the flames to flare up and spread rapidly. Video statements from Stojanche Angelov reassured that "Chanishte and the three monasteries are safe; the fire is moving toward Krushevica."

Photographs released by the City of Skopje show the fire brigade convoy as it departs for Mariovo; crews on site continue to coordinate ground operations while monitoring weather conditions that could influence the fire's behaviour.

Photo: Grad Skopje