Veles, North Macedonia Fire Spreads Across Region, Aerial Unit Deployed

A wildfire ignited around 10:40 a.m. at the Veles‑Štip express‑road junction near the city dump in Veles, North Macedonia. The blaze quickly spread in multiple directions, reaching locations known as Sabotna Voda, Trite Dola, near C arier, and towards the village of Karaslari. It has burned a large area of dry grass, vineyards, orchards and has threatened beehives, houses and auxiliary structures.

Firefighters from the Veles territorial fire‑fighting unit, staff from the municipal enterprise “Derven”, and other local responders are battling the flames. The Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DZS) coordinated with the Crisis Management Center and deployed an er‑tractor aircraft for aerial water‑dropping, awaiting suitable weather conditions. A water tank and additional personnel have been positioned at the city dump to prevent the fire from reaching the waste site. Rain has not yet fallen despite low‑lying clouds over the region.