Stojanche Angelov: Six open-area fires active, most complex at Ramno in Chucher Sandevo

Six separate fires remain active on open ground in and around Skopje region, with the blaze near the hamlet of Ramno in the Municipality of Chucher Sandevo described as the most complex to extinguish, Director Stojanche Angelov said in a midday video statement.

According to Angelov, the Ramno fire is burning low vegetation — ferns, grass and bushes — and in places has reached the forest floor, producing dense smoke. "The fire moves along the ground and consumes the leaf and grass layer, which creates large quantities of smoke. Strong wind is directing the smoke toward Skopje and nearby settlements on the slopes of the Skopska Crna Gora," he said.

Firefighters from Skopje, several fire teams from the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DPR), members of the Army and a police helicopter are operating at critical points in an effort to stop the blaze from spreading.

Other active fires and containment prospects

Angelov warned that the Ramno blaze is difficult to fight because it covers a broad area and the terrain is extremely inaccessible: "This is a complex fire; it will be difficult to put out because it affects a larger area. The terrain is extremely inaccessible."

Another active fire remains above the villages of Gračani and Nikištane and is moving toward the Lepenec river, but Angelov said it has weakened and is expected to be brought fully under control today.

He also reported renewed activity on the line between Struga and Debar, across several village territories; Struga firefighters are responding and Angelov said he believes "this fire does not present any danger to inhabited places. It will be brought under control today." Other active blazes were reported near the village of Tajmishte in Kichevo municipality and by the village of Belica in the Macedonski Brod area, where crews face very difficult, inaccessible ground.

Photo: press material from the event