[INTERNATIONAL] · Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro · 42 sources

started 2 days ago · updated 23 minutes ago

Part of situation: Wildfires intensify across Balkans and Mediterranean (17 clusters)

Western Balkans battle widespread wildfires across multiple countries

wildfires Balkan region arson emergency response forest fires

Multiple countries across the Western Balkans are currently battling widespread wildfires. In North Macedonia, the Crisis Management Center reported dozens of fires, with the most critical situation occurring on Kitka Mountain. Officials, including Stojan Angelov and Kire Mihajlov, have noted that the Kitka fire is particularly difficult to control and have expressed concerns that it is being intentionally reactivated by arsonists.

In Albania, the Ministry of Defense reported that while the situation is improving, dozens of fires have been recorded, with active flames still present in areas such as Mount Dajti, Pukë, and Dibër. Emergency crews, including the Armed Forces, are utilizing helicopters and heavy machinery to manage the outbreaks.

Regional reports also indicate significant fire activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where fires near Sarajevo and Foča have caused property damage. Montenegro has deployed aircraft to drop approximately 100 tons of water on active blazes. Additionally, a fire spreading from Bosnia has reached the Konavle region in Croatia, and a large vessel caught fire near Čiovo, though no injuries were reported. A dangerous fire in Serbia is also reportedly moving toward the North Macedonian border, causing heavy smoke in the Likovë and Kumanovë regions.

Entities

Albania · Bulgaria · Crisis Management Center · Directorate for Protection and Rescue · Haskovo · Kire Mihajlov · Kitka Mountain · Kumanovë · Likovë · Ministry of Defense · National Forests · North Macedonia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The Armed Forces are providing support with 60 personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 1 heavy excavator, 3 helicopters, and 2 Air Tractor planes. www.balkanweb.com
[DISPUTED] Operational forces include 214 personnel and 30 firefighting vehicles. www.balkanweb.com
[● 2 SOURCES] There is currently no reported risk to residential areas. www.balkanweb.com
[DISPUTED] 33 fire outbreaks were reported across the country within a 24-hour period. www.balkanweb.com
[DISPUTED] 6 fire outbreaks remain active and 10 are under monitoring. www.balkanweb.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Firefighting efforts are focused on Mount Dajti, Tirana, Dibër, Lezhë, Shkodër, and Durrës. www.balkanweb.com · fjala.al · ntv.al · rtsh.al · teve1.info · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A fire near the village of Bigla burned approximately 220 hectares of pine and oak forest.
[● 2 SOURCES] A fire near the village of Crnik in the Pehčevo region was reportedly caused by thunder. sitel.com.mk
[● 9 SOURCES] North Macedonia recorded 29 open-space fires within a 24-hour period, with three remaining active and one under control. zhurnal.mk · lajmpress.org · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · panoptikum.mk · ts.mk · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] At least five active fires were reported across the country, including areas in Studeničani, Saraj, Ilinden, and Makedonski Brod. sitel.com.mk · almakos.com · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · panoptikum.mk · lider.mk · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] A large fire in Serbia is approaching the Macedonian border. zhurnal.mk · lajmpress.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Dense smoke has covered much of the Likovë Municipality, parts of Haračinë, and is visible in Kumanovë. zhurnal.mk · lajmpress.org