# Wildfire management and health crises in North Macedonia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wildfire-management-and-outbreaks-in-north-macedonia
> Updated: 2026-09-03T18:59:35.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

North Macedonia has implemented several measures to improve its wildfire response, including repairing three ‘air tractors’ for deployment and repurposing military vehicles, such as ‘BTRs’, with water tanks. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski noted that the government has also engaged 300 volunteers through regulated contracts. Despite these preparations, significant wildfires have caused disruption across the country. The blaze on Kitka Mountain has been described as the most complex and difficult, while at least 33 open-air fires were reported in a single day. While some fires near the Bulgarian border and the village of Sušica have been brought under control by emergency teams and rain, firefighting efforts continue in various regions. In a recent development, North Macedonia deployed a police helicopter to assist in firefighting efforts in Kosovo at the request of Kosovan authorities. This marks the first time the country has provided aerial support abroad for such a purpose, with the helicopter operating over the Hani i Elezit region. Domestically, the Crisis Management Center reported 31 open-space fires within a 24-hour period. By the morning of September 4, 2026, 27 fires had been extinguished and three were under control, leaving one active fire near Grachani in the Gjorce Petrov municipality. This active fire’s activity extended into Kosovan forest territory. Interventions were also recorded in Skopje, Bitola, Ohrid, and Struga, involving vegetation, forests, and waste sites. As of the morning of September 5, the Crisis Management Center reported that two fires remain active: one in Belica and the fire in Grachani that has spread into Kosovo. These environmental challenges are compounded by a significant heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists predict this hot weather will persist into the early part of the following week before a potential temperature drop and rain arrive later in the week.

## Claims

- The fire in Grachani has crossed the border into Kosovo. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Two fires were reported as active: one in Grachani (Gjorce Petrov) and one in Belica (Makedonski Brod). (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Crisis Management Center recorded 31 open-air fires in Macedonia by 7:30 AM on September 5. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Stojanche Angelov stated that some fires are being intentionally set for criminal or selfish motives. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Levica party claims the Institute of Public Health has stopped publishing weekly reports. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Seven people have died from West Nile fever in Macedonia during this summer. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nineteen patients remain hospitalized with West Nile fever. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- More than 130 bird deaths have been reported in connection with the West Nile virus. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Macedonia is expecting temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius this weekend. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Macedonia faces wildfires and West Nile fever outbreak

Macedonia faces simultaneous crises as widespread wildfires, including one crossing into Kosovo, and a West Nile fever outbreak with seven deaths and 19 hospitalizations occur amid a severe heatwave.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-deploys-helicopter-to-fight-kosovo-wildfires

### 2026-08-21: North Macedonia improves wildfire response with aircraft and military vehicles

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski claims North Macedonia is managing wildfires effectively through repaired air tractors, repurposed military vehicles, and the engagement of 300 volunteers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-improves-wildfire-response-with-aircraft-and-military-vehicles

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Cite as: Wildfire management and health crises in North Macedonia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wildfire-management-and-outbreaks-in-north-macedonia