Skopje, 29 July 2025 (MIA) – Black Hawk helicopter from the Czech Republic, with a seven-member crew and a large three-ton bucket, is expected to arrive at the Skopje airport Tuesday afternoon to join firefighting efforts under way at Goten Mountain from Berovo’s side.

A team from Slovenia, comprising 61 firemen and 18 specialized vehicles to battle wildfire blazes, is expected to join the efforts early on Wednesday.

In a video post, Stojanche Angelov, head of the Protection and Rescue Directorate, announced that the Crisis HQ of the Municipality of Berovo at its meeting yesterday decided to focus more on Berovo’s side since “any risk from the Radovish side had been eliminated.”

“A large-scale operation to put out the fire” in Goten Mountain has been taking place since the early hours, according to him.

An Interior Ministry helicopter has been deployed alongside local firemen, 60 army servicemen, 30 members of the special police forces and teams of the National Forests public enterprise.

Angelov refuted last night’s posts that the fire had spread to the Jargulica village from the Radovish side of Goten Mountain stressing the fire had been contained.

“Unfortunately, it is no guarantee that around noon, when temps start to rise, it won’t reignite. A wind is blowing that can prove quite unpleasant. If it turns stronger, it may cause major problems,” said Angelov.

He added that the firefighting operation on Goten Mountain is highly coordinated by the Crisis Management Main HQ, the police, the Army, the Protection and Rescue Directorate, the Crisis Management Center, the National Forests public enterprise and local authorities.

MIA file photo