# North Macedonia landfill and waste management crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-landfill-and-waste-management-crisis > Updated: 2026-10-12T10:11:52.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. A waste management crisis in North Macedonia has escalated due to recurring landfill fires and environmental concerns. In Kumanovo, authorities announced the temporary diversion of municipal waste to the Drisla landfill in Skopje to address the ongoing crisis at the Krasta site, which has been plagued by continuous smoke and fires. To manage the Krasta site, officials planned to use construction machinery to cover waste with soil, install thermal surveillance cameras, and establish an ‘eco-patrol’ of local community members and NGOs. Local residents in Pčinja and surrounding villages have engaged in blockades to protest the environmental impact and demand sanitation of the Krasta site. Meanwhile, fires at the Arachinovo landfill have caused smoke to spread toward Skopje, leading to reports of physical symptoms such as throat and nose irritation among citizens. The political party Levica has criticized local institutions, including the Crisis Management Center and local municipalities, for alleged negligence and for shifting responsibility rather than resolving the systemic issues of illegal landfills and irresponsible waste management. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Arachinovo landfill fire sparks criticism over institutional negligence The Levica party is demanding urgent action and accountability following a landfill fire in Arachinovo, North Macedonia, which is causing smoke to spread toward Skopje and impacting public health. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arachinovo-landfill-fire-sparks-criticism-over-institutional-negligence ### 2026-10-11: Kumanovo diverts waste to Skopje amid Krasta landfill crisis Kumanovo is temporarily diverting waste to Skopje's Drisla landfill following ongoing fires and resident blockades at the Krasta landfill. Authorities are implementing new monitoring and sanitation measures. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kumanovo-to-temporarily-use-drisla-landfill-for-waste-disposal --- Cite as: North Macedonia landfill and waste management crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-landfill-and-waste-management-crisis