Firefighting efforts continue near North Macedonia-Kosovo border

BELGRADE

Efforts to contain a wildfire near the village of Blace, close to the North Macedonia-Kosovo border, continued on Tuesday after the blaze broke out on July 6, authorities said.

The North Macedonia Crisis Management Center (CUK) said in a statement that as of 7 a.m. local time (0500GMT), 32 open-area fires had been reported across the country. Of these, seven were active at the time of the update, while one was localized, one under control, and 23 extinguished.

One of the fires was active in the municipality of Cucer Sandevo, charring local forestland and vegetation.

Firefighters are working to bring the fire under control, the statement added.

North Macedonia’s Interior Ministry said two police helicopters, a Bell 412 and an Agusta Bell 212, were deployed to assist in firefighting operations near Cucer Sandevo, using over 70 tons of water in the effort.

Border crossing temporarily closed

The Blace-Elez Han border crossing, the main transit point between North Macedonia and Kosovo, was temporarily closed Monday due to the wildfire on the North Macedonian side but has since reopened after the threat subsided.

The North Macedonian government has banned entry to forests from July 1 to Aug. 31, warning that violators will face fines ranging from €1,500 to €2,000.