Macedonia has enjoyed a warm and sunny autumn so far, which has reduced the need for heating, but as the temperatures begin to go down, air pollution is creeping up.

In Kumanovo, the PM10 measuring station recorded 1.028 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air this evening. It’s one of the first result over a 1.000 for the season, and citizens fear that it won’t be the last. Locals are reporting that on top of the use of wood and plastics for heating across the city, there are open air fires that are also adding to the high level of air pollution in Kumanovo.

Macedonian cities overwhelmingly use wood, and sometimes waste, for heating, as there is access to natural gas.