Balkan States Aid North Macedonia in Wildfire Battle

Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey have dispatched aircraft and helicopters to North Macedonia to aid firefighters who have been battling a series of wildfires for several days, triggered by high temperatures.

Swiss Radio LFM quoted European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, stating that the European Union stands united in its support for North Macedonia, highlighting the crucial role of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in assisting local efforts against the catastrophic wildfires.

The fires have ravaged hundreds of hectares of forest over the past week, affecting numerous regions in North Macedonia. Authorities announced yesterday that 12 wildfires remain active in the country, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency due to the "increasing number of wildfires."

The radio reported that the government has called in police and military forces to combat the fires and has raised the readiness level of medical teams nationwide. On Monday, authorities prohibited residents from entering forests and vast mountainous areas in the country. The Balkan region has been experiencing a heatwave since last week, which is expected to continue for several more days.