Skopje, 13 August 2025 (MIA) – The fire at the Jasen hunting ground is the most critical, it has been raging for several days, pine trees are burning. The terrain is extremely difficult to access. We are facing a difficult and risky task, but I am optimistic, we are working to at least slow down the spread of the fire, said Protection and Rescue Directorate head Stojanche Angelov.

In a Sitel TV appearance on Wednesday, he explained why the situation is delicate - the flames rise creating fire whirls which is why it is extremely risky to quench them on the ground, whereas during aerial firefighting, when water is dropped from above, it cannot reach the ground from the pine canopies or it evaporates over the fire due to the heat.

He noted that early on Wednesday, four 'Pinzgauer' fire and rescue vehicles were used because the terrain had allowed it. He added that battling the blaze was successful in the morning due to a temporary lull in the fire activity. However, he noted, the situation changes drastically in the morning and around noon with the increase in temperature.

Asked when a third 'Air Tractor' firefighting plane will be put into operation, he said it will most likely be delayed because there is only one service operator and few subcontractors in Europe, while the country has five or six aircraft mechanics who, he noted, work selflessly to keep the 'Air Tractors' in operation.

"The procurement of more helicopters is underway, I think about 15 of them. It will be discussed whether some of them will be suitable for further use in firefighting. But my idea is to procure new 'Air Tractors' in the future. I have already started some procedures, let's see how much the EU covers costs for 'Air Tractors'. But even if we ordered them, we would have to wait for years for delivery. Because there is a deficit. Fires are raging across Southeast Europe," said Angelov. 

He said he expects a larger number of pilots next year, adding that there is an agreement with the two retired pilots to be hired again next summer. He pointed out that the pilots' wages have doubled.

As regards inspection over fire extinguisher requirements in hospitality facilities, he said the Protection and Rescue Directorate only has 13 inspectors, adding that "it is impossible to cover a small town, let alone Macedonia."

"But I have a vision, and in the new institution that I believe we will complete by New Year's, this will be resolved differently," Angelov said.

At the anniversary since the signing of the Framework Agreement, Angelov, as a member of the security forces in 2001, was asked whether the agreement had lived up to expectations. He said he felt bitterness at the time, that the agreement had been forced and there was no way out.

"It was the only way out. But the fact is that the Macedonian defenders were convincingly superior to the NLA in every aspect – both in numbers, and in motive, and in weapons and equipment, readiness and training, but politics made the politicians lose even then. We, the members of the Macedonian security forces, won and bitterly accepted the signing. Today, as a person who is part of politics, I see it differently. Simply put, the Framework Agreement was forced and, in essence, several major world powers stand behind the NLA," Angelov added. 

Photo: print screen