Türkiye deploys aircraft to aid North Macedonia’s wildfire battle

Türkiye has sent two airplanes and a helicopter to North Macedonia to support efforts to control ongoing forest fires, according to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli.

“We are on duty for the forests, our common heritage. To support the fight against the ongoing forest fires, two of our planes and one helicopter went to North Macedonia. I convey my best wishes to the people of North Macedonia and wish our team success in their duties,” Minister Yumakli announced on social media platform X.

The director of North Macedonia’s Crisis Management Center, Stojance Angelov, confirmed Turkish aid at the airport in Skopje. Seven wildfires broke out across North Macedonia on Sunday, leading the government to declare a crisis.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, more than 100 hectares of forest have been scorched. The government has declared a state of emergency for 30 days, enabling the mobilization of medical staff, police and army units to combat the fires.

Additional help to arrive

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced that additional help will arrive from Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Türkiye.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed that Serbia would send helicopters to assist in extinguishing the fires.

Mickoski expressed hope that the wildfires would be under control “tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

In response to the fire threat, North Macedonia has banned movement in forests from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated that the ban would remain in effect until the wildfire risk is reduced.

The region, including North Macedonia and Serbia, issued an extreme weather alert last week, heightening concerns over forest fire risks.