North Macedonia reports fire control and nursery overcrowding concerns

In North Macedonia, authorities report that 30 out of 31 recorded open-air fires have been extinguished. As of 7:00 AM, one fire remains under control in the municipalities of Makedonski Brod and Sopishte, specifically affecting forest areas near Belica and Kajorec. The remaining extinguished fires occurred across various municipalities, including Gazi Baba, Butel, Kumanovo, and others, affecting low vegetation, shrubs, and waste sites.

Separately, parents in Skopje are raising alarms regarding the state of local nurseries. The “Humane and Safe Nursery” initiative claims that overcrowding is a critical issue, particularly in the Aerodrom municipality, where some groups reportedly contain up to 44 children instead of the legally mandated 12. While the government plans to open 37 new nurseries by the end of next year to accommodate approximately 4,000 additional children, parents are demanding immediate inspections to ensure the safety and health of children and staff.