Pehchevo, 31 July 2024 (MIA) - The wildfire that broke out yesterday above the town of Pehchevo has been contained, and since Wednesday morning three helicopters have joined the efforts to completely extinguish it, Pehchevo Mayor Aleksandar Kitanovski told MIA. 

He pointed out that efforts to fight the blazes had continued throughout the night, with on-duty teams on the ground, also adding that the crisis HQ has held a meeting to coordinate activities on the ground for Wednesday. 

"In coordination with the Protection and Rescue Directorate, the border police, firefighting crews from the neighbouring towns and voluntary firefighting associations, I believe there's good coordination of activities on the ground today. The fire is contained at some places, whereas in other places it is reigniting," said Kitanovski.   

Air support has been secured together with the head of the Crisis Management Center (CMC), Stojanche Angelov, with three helicopters joining the efforts to combat the fire. 

"In the early morning hours, as agreed yesterday with the CMC director, we also received air support with three helicopters, thanks to which the fire is brought under control and ground forces can act. Pine forest is burning with flames rising 30, 40, maybe 50 meters, so it is impossible for ground forces to act. The helicopters will be here for the next few hours and will help the extinguishing efforts. Hopefully, the fire will be contained in a few hours. However, it is a natural disaster, everything is in God's hands, we hope that with the help of air tractors and helicopters it will be contained," Kitanovski said. 

Volunteers and associations from several towns and cities as well as local residents are also involved in extinguishing the fire. He estimates that there are over 150 people on the ground. Help from the special forces from Skopje is also expected, and appeals are made for more local residents and citizens to join. 

In the meantime, due to the alarming situation with the fire near Pehchevo, a water and food donation point has been set up since last night for the firefighters. It is located in the House of Culture in Pehchevo, and the authorities urge everyone who can to donate, in order to provide support to all those fighting the fire.

Photo: MIA archive