[REVISION HISTORY]

Wildfires and arson suspicions in North Macedonia

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2026-08-29 18:06 UTC → 2026-09-05 21:38 UTC · added ~~removed~~

North Macedonia has experienced widespread wildfires affecting numerous municipalities, including Studeničani, Gostivar, Prilep, and Kavadarci. In the Gradsko region, firefighting units from Veles, Kavadarci, and Negotino, supported by helicopters and volunteers, managed to bring a major fire near Dolno Čičevo and Gorno Čičevo under control after 13 hours of activity. By late August, a severe wildfire in the Makazi area of the Resen Municipality threatened Pelister National Park. Emergency responders observed a second, simultaneous fire line, leading Stojanche Angelov, Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue (DZS), to suggest the fire may have been intentionally set. Specialized equipment, including earth-moving tractors and firefighting teams with pincers, was deployed to protect orchards and prevent the flames from entering the national park. The Crisis Management Center confirmed that while several fires had been extinguished, multiple active wildfires continued to affect regions such as Saraj and Studeničani. By early September, firefighters brought a fire near the village of Nogaevci under control. Stojanche Angelov expressed suspicion of arson, citing statements from local residents, and police are expected to investigate. Other significant blazes remain active, including an ‘extremely heavy fire’ in the Ramno area of Skopje involving National Forestry personnel, and a fire near Matejce moving toward a local monastery. Additionally, a fire that crossed from Kosovo into North Macedonian territory along the Lepenec River has been brought under partial control.

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