English
Firefighters battled several major fires today, at different locations across Macedonia.
In Bigla, near Delcevo, 300 men were engaged against the fire caused by a negligent citizen, that endangered a conifer forest near the border with Bulgaria. Three firefighting planes were used to help protect the forest, and reinforcements came from Vinica, Pehcevo, Berovo, Makedonska Kamenica, all the way to Gevgelija. Several people required medical assistance due to smoke inhalation.
A quickly moving fire, driven by the strong wind, endangered homes in the village of Bonce near Prilep. Bitola and Kocani firefighting teams helped protect the village, said Stojance Angelov, head of the DZS bureau.
Ground teams using modified army vehicles had to intervene several times against a fire near Studenicani, east of Skopje. The fire is spreading in a difficult terrain.