North Macedonia Declares State of Emergency as Wildfires Rage Near Capital

North Macedonia on August 5 declared a state of emergency for the next 30 days, as wildfires raged in the north of the country, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Local media reported that crews were on the ground to try to control one fire so it would not spread to a nearby national park. The country’s Crisis Management Center (CMC) told media that there were fires burning in nine regions, including Kumanovo, where at least eight new fires were burning on August 5. Video shared by RFE/RL shows villagers dousing flames and hosing down vegetation as they attempt to prevent the spread of the wildfires near their homes. Strong winds and high temperatures have stoked wildfires in parts of southeastern Europe, Russia, and Turkey. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful