Wildfires Rage Across the Balkans and Greece Amidst Scorching Heat

Firefighters in North Macedonia are battling wildfires for the third day, spurred by intense winds, high temperatures, and dry weather. Similar conditions have sparked blazes across Greece and the Balkans. The crisis has mobilized aid from countries like Serbia, Germany, and the Czech Republic to assist in firefighting efforts.

Firefighters in North Macedonia have been battling a dozen wildfires for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, exacerbated by strong winds and scorching temperatures. Smaller blazes have also erupted across Greece and the Balkans, according to officials.

In the municipality of Negrevo near the Bulgarian border and another near Kumanovo close to Serbia, the fires have continued to spread, Goran Stojanovski from North Macedonia's center for crisis management reported. 'Because of the high temperatures, the vegetation is dry and the soil is very hot, making our work more difficult,' he said. Greece, North Macedonia's southern neighbor, has long contended with wildfires triggered by rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns associated with climate change.

A series of blazes also ignited further north this week following prolonged heat and minimal rainfall. In Spain, firefighters are also battling wildfires fueled by extreme heat. Roads, fields, and houses in Stip, located 100 kilometers east of North Macedonia's capital Skopje, were engulfed in smoke, according to a Reuters witness.

The full extent of the nationwide damage remains uncertain. Earlier fires this week destroyed dozens of homes and claimed the life of one elderly man. Of the 66 active fires on Tuesday, 12 remained uncontained by Wednesday, Stojanovski said. Serbia dispatched a helicopter to assist, while Germany and the Czech Republic have offered aircraft support.

In neighboring Albania, the coastal tourist town of Shengjin was evacuated on Tuesday as fires encroached, forcing tourists to flee in cars and buses. While fires continued to burn on Wednesday, they appeared to be under control, a Reuters witness observed. Meanwhile, Croatian firefighters successfully contained a blaze near the coastal town of Tucepi, a local official told N1 TV.

At the Greece-Bulgaria border, firefighters are relying on aerial support to combat a fire that has been burning since July 18. Ground forces cannot reach the area due to land mines from previous conflicts, said Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis. Local authorities are also employing diggers to create firebreak zones around villages to prevent the blazes from spreading.

(With inputs from agencies.)