Skopje, 10 July 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Thursday there is evidence and people have been detained for setting fires through coordinated and deliberate action, especially for Skopje. In response to a reporter's question, Mickoski noted that after Wednesday's numerous fires, the situation is now under control and he rejected the opposition's accusations of lack of action in dealing with the fires. 

"Not only do we suspect, but we have evidence, people detained, especially on the territory of Skopje. Because what we found at the last fire that broke out yesterday evening after nine o'clock near Smilkovsko Lake, as well as the three people who were subsequently detained, indicates there is a well-founded suspicion of coordinated and deliberate action, especially in Skopje. But what makes me happy is that in 24 hours, despite the extremely difficult conditions, temperatures between 35°C and 40°C, accompanied by strong winds of over 100 km/h at times, we managed to bring it all under control. Earlier I received information that only the fire in Dojran near the mountain is active, there is no threat to populated areas, and it is under control," Mickoski said after Thursday's event marking 80 years of the Red Cross of North Macedonia.

He added that nine of the special repurposed army vehicles were part of the firefighting efforts on Wednesday, and firefighting aircraft dropped 300 tons of water, which is the same as 75 flyovers by police and army helicopters. He announced that in the coming days all the repurposed vehicles will be engaged, noting that the available mechanization and special vehicles for dealing with such natural disasters will thus be significantly improved.

Photo: MIA