Forest fires in North Macedonia have led to the detonation of grenades abandoned since the First World War on Mount Galichica.
The heat wave that affected North Macedonia caused more than fifty fires in different regions of the country. One of the biggest was that of Mount Galichicawhich is located on the border between Albania and North Macedonia. The flames caused the grenade detonation who remained in place since the World War I.
“Was many explosions and that was causing us a problem. They exploited bombs and grenades that were left over from the wars and those explosions were a big problem for us,” Mutalip Tairovski, commander of the Fire Department, told ‘Euronews’.
The fire affected more than 6,500 hectares of land in North Macedonia y Albania. Around the 60% of the surface affected by the flames are herbaceous areas and around the 40% son forest areas with various types of trees.
Due to the fires, the endemic herbaceous plantwhich can only be found in Galichica, and the nests of the yellow-billed rook colonies in the strictly protected area of the Galichica National Park, are endangered.
Firefighters control the fire
Firefighters from both countries They managed to control the fire after a week of struggle in this difficult-to-access terrain. “The fire started on August 8 in Albania and moved to our side. Then that fire split in two directions. The fire has been controlled today and we appeal to the population so that there is no reason for panic. The fire is under control“said Mutalip Tairovski, commander of the fire department
In anticipation of a drop in temperatures, firefighters ask for attention because all fires, they say, are caused by human factors. Since the beginning of August 370 fires have been extinguished. The last day without any active fire in the country is July 8.
