North Macedonia's Severe Forest Fires Threaten Over 94,000 Hectares
North Macedonia grapples with severe forest fire risks. Last year, over 94,000 hectares burned in 126 fires. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski attributes this to the lack of cattle in the mountains, which would naturally clear undergrowth. The country faced challenges in combating these fires, with Austria being one of the countries providing aid.
The Protection and Rescue Directorate, tasked with managing these fires, is struggling. None of its three Air Tractor AT-802 firefighting aircraft are operational. There's also a shortage of firefighters and worn-out equipment. The director revealed that they lack pilots and face issues with aircraft servicing. North Macedonia also lacks a training center for firefighting, and there's little interest from young pilots.
The root causes of these fires are mainly human error and climate change. Despite international aid, North Macedonia still needs more aircraft, pilots, and qualified technical personnel to bolster its firefighting capabilities.
North Macedonia's forest fires pose a significant threat, with last year's blazes covering over 94,000 hectares. The Protection and Rescue Directorate is understaffed and under-equipped, with none of its aircraft operational. International aid, like that provided by Austria, helps, but more resources are needed to effectively combat these fires.
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