Multiple fires are burning near Skopje, North Macedonia, causing significant smoke visible from the city and surrounding areas. The blazes are located at the foot of Skopska Crna Gora mountain, particularly near the Volkovo area and above the main road to Blace.

The Director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate (DZS), Stojance Angelov, assured the public that there is currently no immediate danger to homes in the village of Chucher-Sandevo, which was partially threatened by a fire that began the previous afternoon. He credited the efforts of local residents, the Skopje Fire Brigade, and National Forests teams for their work in containing the blaze.

Angelov also addressed rumors circulating on social media, stating that the St. Nikita monastery is not currently in danger. He explained that the monastery is a significant distance from the fire and that firefighters and local residents are on site to prevent its spread.

Ljubisa Stojkovski, a local resident involved in extinguishing the fire, confirmed that the situation had improved, but earlier it was dangerous above the monastery and in the region with weekend houses. Explosions were heard coming from the mountain ridge, an area where public access is prohibited.

The fire near Blace, which started the previous day, continues to spread, leading the Ministry of the Interior to completely halt traffic on the Stenkovec – Blace border crossing section and close the border crossing.