Skopje, 13 August 2025 (MIA) - The Crisis Management Center (CMC) said a major fire posing a potential threat to property has broken out near the village of Oktisi in Struga, at a place called Oktishka Krasta. 

Struga Fire Brigade teams and local residents are battling the blaze on the ground, but according to the Struga Fire Brigade commander, the fire is spreading over specific and inaccessible terrain, which makes it impossible to extinguish it from land, said the CMC.

Therefore, the CMC adds, engagement of firefighting aircraft is urgently needed.

"The Mayor of Struga has made an official request for the engagement of an aircraft, and upon request of the Crisis Management Center, preparations are underway to deploy an aircraft to extinguish the fire. A firefighting aircraft of the Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD) is on its way to the location of the fire," the CMC said. 

The CMC said a total of seven wildfires were reported across the country by 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Three are still burning, one has been put under control, and three have been extinguished. 

The active wildfires are burning in the Jasen National Park and near the village of Krapa in the municipality of Makedonski Brod; at the place called Oktishka Krasta in the municipality of Struga; and near the village of Mogila in the municipality of Mogila. The fire near the village of Radusha in the municipality of Saraj is under control. Fires have been extinguished in the municipalities of Kichevo, Makedonski Brod, and Kriva Palanka. 

Photo: MIA archive