Belgrade, 31 July 2024 (MIA) – Helicopters of Serbia’s Interior Ministry have been putting out the fire burning on Kozjak Mountain overlooking the Prohor Pchinski monastery. The complex is not at risk by the fire, MIA’s Belgrade correspondent reports.

“The monastery complex is safe from the fire burning for several days on Kozjak Mountain. The fire is 2 kilometers away as the crow flies from the monastery and 15 kilometers on land,” Branimir Stojancic of the organisation for the preservation of the Pcinja Valley (PIO) has stated.

The fire from North Macedonia, burning since Sunday, he said, spread yesterday into Serbia in the municipality of Bujanovac. However, he added, it is far away from the settlement and the monastery as it is burning on the summits of the mountain. 

Stojancic said the organization has previously adapted mountain tracks, which has proven to be helpful for the firemen and rescuers deployed at the fire-hit site. 

He said that helicopters are expected today to join the fire extinguishing operation. 

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said Tuesday that his country will send two Interior Ministry helicopters to put out the fire spreading from North Macedonia in the vicinity of Prohor Pchinski monastery. 

MIA file photo