Gorno Melnichani fire localized, two charged with arson
Debar, 15 August 2021 (MIA) – The large wildfire near the village of Gorno Melnichani in Centar Zhupa municipality has been localized but there is still a threat of its reigniting due to the winds in the area, the Debar fire-fighting brigade commander told MIA.
“We continue to monitor the site. There are over 100 people from the fire-fighting units, police, forest enterprise and municipal employees,” said Xhetan Miftaroski.
Meanwhile, the Debar Interior Department filed criminal charges against two Albanian nationals, aged 31 and 32, under the suspicion of arson in Gorno Melnichani.
They are suspected of causing the wildfire near the village, which has destroyed over 15 hectares of beech forest.