Skopje, 5 August 2021 (MIA) – The main crisis management HQ starting Thursday is fully in charge of coordinating the fight against wildfires, it was announced. The main HQ at a session today passed an action plan on preventing and combating wildfires. “The plan involves several goals: to protect lives, protect objects and the environment, strengthen measures to isolated fire-hit areas, include relevant institutions and provide high-level coordination as well as coordination and distribution of international assistance,” stated Stojanche Angelov, Director of the Crisis Management Center. Starting tomorrow, he said, the Center every day at 10 am will inform about the situation involving wildfires and will hold news conferences when necessary. Speaking at a news conference, Angelov said that authorities cannot determine exactly how many wildfires there are across the country. “The situation changes by the minute. All forces and resources are at disposal, but weather conditions are hindering our firefighting efforts,” he stated, adding that 18 wildfires are active at the moment in the Skopje region. Nearly 300 soldiers have been deployed in the eastern part of the country to help battling blazes. Out of four helicopters, three from Serbia are being used. 25 firefighters with 11 vehicles have arrived from Bulgaria; Slovenia has sent 40 firemen and 16 vehicles; 120 firemen and 40 vehicles are expected to arrive from Austria. Angelov urged people not to panic, reassuring them that utmost efforts are being made. He also urged for utmost vigilance.