Skopje, 9 October 2023 (MIA) - The current situation with wildfires is extremely alarming. Sixty fires blazed across the country on Sunday alone, said Crisis Management Center (CMC) director Stojanche Angelov, appealing to all farmers not to set fires to stubble or pastures.  

"Despite intensive firefighting efforts in battling blazes over the night, six wildfires are still active, four of which are bigger and more dangerous. They will further spread by evening. I must note that even the smallest fire can turn into a big fire in an instant, threatening human lives, health and property," Angelov pointed out. 

He said that over the weekend, including Friday, there were a total of 116 wildfires.

In September, Angelov added, a total of 778 wildfires were registered, 43 of which required firefighting aircraft to be contained.

The CMC head noted that there has been no major rainfall for a long time, and none is neither expected in the next ten days, making the vegetation extremely dry. Moreover, daily temperatures are still high, and the firefighters and pilots are exhausted.

"I appeal to all mayors to observe the legally prescribed procedures and request aerial firefighting support only when all other possibilities have been exhausted. Fires cannot be contained from the air with air tractors and helicopters without the support of firefighters on the ground," Angelov pointed out. 

CMC, he added, makes an assessment of the necessity to use and coordinate aircraft.

"The number of aircraft is limited, and the number of fires is huge every day," said the CMC head. 

Photo: MIA archive