Stojanche Angelov finds barbecue fire by the Treska and warns: "This is a recipe for disaster"

Stojanche Angelov, director of the Center for Crisis Management (CCM), discovered an improperly built barbecue fire next to the Treska River during a field patrol in the Municipality of Makedonski Brod. Authorities say the makeshift fire is believed to have been used by anglers.

Angelov warns after finding the fire

Angelov appealed to the public to take extra care with open flames after the discovery. "At a time when we face open-area fires every day, such irresponsible behaviour can have serious consequences," he said, noting that dry grass and twigs around the fire led toward the nearby woodland, which he called "a recipe for disaster."

The CCM reported that, by 13:00 today, ten wildfires had been registered in the country: five were still active, two had been brought under control and three were completely extinguished.

Among the active blazes is the fire in the Makedonski Brod municipality, where flames affected low vegetation, low-stature forest and shrubs in the areas of Vidush, near the village Dragov Dol and near Lokvica.

Other active fires include outbreaks in the Municipality of Studenichani — impacting mixed forests near the villages Morane, Vrtekica and Ramni Gaber — and in the Municipalities of Veles and Zelenikovo, where the fire from the area Gorno Selo near the village S'lp spread toward Karabunjishte, Dobrino and Tisovica.

Active fires were also recorded in the regions of Jegunovce, Zhelino and Saraj, affecting mixed forests near Kopance, Tudenec and Cerovo with spread toward Bojane. In the Municipality of Shtip, a fire burns low vegetation in the Balkanska neighbourhood.

Fires in the village Zheleznica (Municipality of Kratovo) and at the landfill in Delchevo have been brought under control. Four fires remain uncontrolled across the country — the flames continue to advance toward several villages.

Photo: Printskrin / Jutub/DZS