Wildfires in North Macedonia threaten villas near Stip

Multiple wildfires are active across North Macedonia, with significant focus on the Lakavica region in the Stip municipality. Firefighters and volunteers are working to protect approximately 100 villas located along the dried-up Lakavica River.

To combat the blaze, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DZS) has deployed air tractors, while helicopters from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Army are providing aerial support. Stojance Angelov, head of the DZS, stated that while crews have managed to stop the fire line from reaching the villa settlements, efforts must now shift to controlling the upper part of the fire moving toward Mount Serta.

Other active fires have been reported in the municipalities of Struga, Saraj, and Makedonski Brod. As of the latest reports, dozens of fires have been recorded across the country, with many successfully extinguished or brought under control, though several locations remain critical.