Skopje, 19 August 2021 (MIA) – Due to the reduced number of wildfires and after rain fell a couple of days ago that improved the situation on the ground, National Forests Public Enterprise has relaxed the forest movement ban by requiring a permit issued beforehand, Stojanche Angelov, Director of the Crisis Management Center, told a press conference Thursday. Legal entities and individuals who need to go outdoors can do so with a permit as of today.  “This relates to hikers and paragliders, those using the mountains for their activities,” Angelov said. Four fires are active currently, over the villages Raovikj and Bukovikj, in Saraj, over the village Patishka River, towards Jasen, in Vasilevo near Strumica and Toplice near Prilep. “The Saraj fire has been burning for about 15 days. Two army choppers were on the scene this morning, trying to put it out, but due to the field specification and the burning vegetation, meaning the roots that are not too much underground and the peat that’s above them make it difficult for the fire to be put out. It currently poses no threat to the settlements and the damage is not too great because the trees are low-stemmed,” Angelov stated. The fire over village Patishka River, towards Jasen, is still active, but it’s held under control. The fire in the Prilep village Toplice started again, but it will soon be put under control, as well. “There is an active fire in the village Vasilevo near Strumica, which is on the tripoint between Berovo, Radovish and Strumica. There is also a fire in the Berovo village Nivichani. Remnants of chopped down trees are burning here, but I believe this fire will be tamed today,” Angelov said. Angelov also said that Vermont National Guard Commander, General Major Gregory Knight, visited the Crisis Management Center earlier today. They agreed to continue the ongoing cooperation, including visits by American instructors, who would help completely reform the crisis management and fire protection systems. dk/ba/