Smart cameras of the Crisis Management Centre alerted in time for Nikushtak wildfire

Skopje — Smart surveillance cameras operated by the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) signalled in time during a wildfire near Nikushtak, enabling an earlier operational response, the centre said. The alert from the camera network allowed teams to follow the fire’s movement and coordinate on-site resources.

In an official statement the CMC emphasized the operational benefits of the system, saying: "In this way, alongside monitoring the fire, timely coordination and directing of available resources on the ground are enabled, as well as determining the direction of the fire's activity, up to its localization and complete extinguishing." The centre framed the camera alerts as a tool to speed up decision-making and resource deployment.

The smart cameras feed live imagery to the CMC operational centre, which officials say helps commanders map the spread of flames and set the priority sectors for suppression. According to CMC, that parallel monitoring shortens the time between detection and the first tactical response on the ground.

Nikushtak is a village in the municipality of Lipkovo; fires in the surrounding rural terrain and low vegetation have occurred there in recent seasons, requiring multi‑agency firefighting measures when they flare up.

The item was published on 20 August 2026 at 11:55. Authorities say the camera system will continue to be used as part of the monitoring and coordination effort until individual blazes are fully contained.

CMC representatives stressed that integrating remote detection tools with field crews increases the chances of localising fires quickly and reducing damage to settlements and forests in the affected areas.

Photo: press material from the event