Skopje, 9 July 2025 (MIA) – A very difficult day in dealing with the fires. The reason for their spread was largely adverse weather conditions and strong winds, but for some we have grounds to suspect that they were started by human factors near key infrastructure facilities, roads, densely populated areas and private buildings, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said after Wednesday's session of the government Crisis HQ. 

Toshkovski said that of about 20 fires, currently all are under control. The fires in Dojran, Nikolikj, Kriva Palanka, Orman, Volkovo, the fires in Samokov and Vizbegovo are under control, and the European Civil Protection Mechanism for support in dealing with fires has also been activated.

"All capacities of the state are being fully put into operation, and I must point out that Greece has provided two firefighting aircraft, which will be put into operation, as well as ground forces that have been made available through the EU mechanism. All government institutions are fully mobilized and are actively engaged on the ground. Three hundred soldiers have been put on standby, of which about 150 were actively engaged on the ground, as well as about 400 police officers, who were actively engaged on the ground," said Toshkovski.

Toshkovski said he could not reveal details, but pointed out it is very symptomatic that as one fire is neutralized, a second, then a third one soon starts and all of them are connected to a certain key infrastructure.

"I do not want to speculate, but I must mention it is possible that there is a different scenario than what would be a scenario of coincidence. The institutions are working on the ground, and I hope that all these cases and what caused the fires will be quickly clarified," Toshkovski said, noting that on Tuesday a person was detained for deliberately setting fire, and has already been brought before a pre-trial judge.  

As regards the fire that broke out at a private landfill in Vizbegov, Toshkovski said the landfill owners have been detained and will be brought before a pre-trial judge at public prosecutor's orders.  

Toshkovski expressed gratitude to members of the Ministry of Interior, the Army, the Crisis Management Centre, the Protection and Rescue Directorate and all municipalities involved in the firefighting, for "the superhuman efforts made in dealing with the blazes".

Photo: print screen