Dozens of large open-air wildfires are currently being tackled across countries in the region. The situation is most critical in North Macedonia, where more than 15 fires are active, two of which are threatening inhabited areas.
The Director of North Macedonia’s Protection and Rescue Directorate, Stojanče Angelov, stated that yesterday was one of the toughest days of the season regarding open-air fires. As of 5:00 pm on Sunday, there were more than 15 active fires, two of which threatened populated areas, Plusinfo reports.
He noted that yesterday evening, flames even threatened the outermost houses in Strumica, but the fire was stopped just a few metres from the properties thanks to the rapid intervention of Strumica firefighters, supported by crews from Valandovo and Radoviš.
Angelov stated that the fire near Strumica remains active on the opposite side of the field, expressing hope that it will not spread to other villages. He added that another major fire, which has now been brought under control, broke out in the municipality of Prilep.
Across North Macedonia, operations are also underway to extinguish larger fires that broke out in the municipality of Želino, high in the mountains in the north-west of the country, as well as in the municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuše, and in the immediate vicinity of Dračevo. Angelov added that open-air fires are active in several other locations across the country as well.
In Republika Srpska, efforts are ongoing to extinguish a fire at the Obodina landfill. Firefighters from Trebinje and a helicopter from the Helicopter Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska are involved in the operation, according to Dejan Kašiković, commander of the Trebinje Territorial Fire Brigade, speaking to the Srna news agency.
Kašiković added that “the fire remains active in the villages around the Zupci plateau, but it is not threatening settlements or personal property.”
Several fires remain active in the area surrounding Trebinje. Flames are burning across several hamlets in Zupci, and yesterday the fire approached houses in Turmenti, as well as in Kremeni Do and Bugovina, where prompt action by firefighters successfully pushed the flames back from the properties. A helicopter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska has been deployed at this location for the third consecutive day, alongside an air tractor.
In Montenegro, five fires are currently active and under constant monitoring by the competent services, whilst air support has been requested to tackle flames in the Kolašin area.
According to data from the 112 Operational Communication Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro, a fire along the Baošići–Đenovići stretch in the municipality of Herceg Novi is active but under control, as is a fire at the Ponikvice location, Newsmax Balkans reports.
In the municipality of Nikšić, a fire remains active in the Jasenovo Polje area, whilst three active fires have been registered in the municipality of Kolašin at the Crni Vrh, Maganik, and Uvač locations.
(Telegraf.rs, 24.08.2026)