Tetovo, 16 August 2025 (MIA) - The fire that was brought under control on Friday afternoon in the area of the villages of Rogachevo and Jazhince near Tetovo, is active again. The Crisis Management Center (CMC) said the fire reignited around 10:30 pm on Friday, and this morning at 9:00 am the situation remains unchanged - the fire is still burning.

Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD) head Stojanche Angelov said the left fire flank was successfully put out during the night with the help of Rogachevo residents. 

"The fire near the village of Jazhince, in the municipality of Jegunovce, reignited late last night. Shortly thereafter, due to the fire-prone tall grass, bushes and spruce trees and a strong wind, the fire flank extended past a kilometre towards the Tetovo - Jazhince highway. We quickly set up defences on the road with ten firefighting water tanks, eight Pinzgauers and one water cannon from the Ministry of Interior to prevent the fire from spreading over the road, if it reaches it," said Angelov. 

He gave special thanks to the locals, noting that together they managed to save several hectares of grass, bushes and forest, while extinguishing the fire on extremely difficult terrain. 

According to him, the right fire flank was burning further away and could not be reached due to a difficult-to-access terrain overgrown with dense vegetation full of thorns. 

"At this moment, hot spots and smouldering areas are visible along the extinguished left flank, which is why a police helicopter has been activated, dropping water point by point. A portion of the fire is moving towards the village of Dvorce, towards the Skopje side," Angelov said. 

He added that Interior Minister Toshkovski had also visited the site of the fire overnight and met with the people engaged in the firefighting efforts on Saturday morning. Firefighters with armoured vehicles from the Tetovo, Gostivar, Veles and Kavadarci Fire Brigades, as well as local residents, are also at the site of the fire.

Photo: CMC