Skopje, 14 July 2024 (MIA) - Two Turkish “Air Tractor” firefighting planes and a helicopter have joined the efforts to combat wildfires raging across the country.

Crisis Management Center (CMC) director Stojanche Angelov said they landed at the Skopje Airport early on Monday.

The two Turkish planes, alongside two air tractors from the Protection and Rescue Directorate will be dispatched to intervene on the wildfire in the Municipality of Novo Selo.

Early on Monday a police helicopter joined the operation to put out the wildfire raging on the Serta Mountain, an additional army helicopter and the Turkish helicopter are expected to join the operation as well.

Angelov said efforts would be focused on the two wildfires. A significant number of firefighters, representatives of hunting associations, local population and members of the Army and the Interior Ministry’s Rapid Deployment Unit are engaged in the operation to tackle the flames from the ground.

“We are talking about an extremely difficult terrain, with thick vegetation that complicates the movement of people on the ground, so it is very difficult to reach the critical points. Yesterday, thanks to the members of the Army, we managed to douse several critical points, the members of the Interior Ministry’s Rapid Deployment Unit also helped. Today, we have 103 members of the Macedonian Army and 30 members of the Rapid Deployment Unit aiding us as well,” Angelov said.

The CMC said they are working to secure additional air support.  

On Monday morning, the CMC said nine wildfires are currently active in the country. A 30-day state of crisis is in effect. 

Photo: CMC