Forest fire near Crnik, Pehčevo, brought under control

A large forest fire broke out in a pine forest near the village of Crnik, in the Pehčevo Municipality, close to the Bulgarian border. The fire covered a significant area, prompting an emergency response from local firefighters, forestry workers, and volunteers.

Pehčevo Mayor Aleksandar Kitanski reported that some firefighting forces from Pehčevo and Berovo were redirected from a previous fire in Bigla to assist at the Crnik site. The suppression efforts included the Territorial Firefighting Unit from Berovo, forestry enterprises, and volunteers from the Pehčevo Volunteer Firefighting Society. Aerial support using helicopters was also deployed to drop water on the fire lines, helping to localize and bring the blaze under control.

Stojanče Angelov, Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, noted that while the fire is under control, smoke is still visible and the danger has not fully passed. Due to the nature of pine forests, officials aim to have the fire completely extinguished by the following day.