ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Balkan countries on Wednesday faced an unprecedented challenge as wildfires, fueled by high temperatures, strong winds, and a weeks-long drought, raged across the region. Firefighters in Croatia reported their toughest day yet this season, while North Macedonia hinted at potential NATO assistance.
Croatia’s Firefighters’ Association detailed a grueling 24-hour period, during which they responded to over 100 fires, deploying more than 1,000 firefighters and 20 firefighting planes. The most critical incident occurred near the southern coastal town of Tucepi, where a firefighter was injured. A fierce wind exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to contain the blaze that stretched for several kilometers.
Police detained a 65-year-old man suspected of accidentally starting the fire while tending to his beehives. He faces charges of endangering public safety. Residents in the area endured a sleepless night, with some evacuating their homes. Power supplies were disrupted, and several explosions, likely from gas canisters, were reported.
The fire, which was initially brought under control, reignited and spread to a remote area in the nearby Biokovo nature park. Local official Ante Cobanic described the rapid spread of the fire, noting its incredible speed.
Further north, near the town of Sibenik, firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent a blaze from reaching Krka National Park, renowned for its waterfalls. The park remained open, thanks to the efforts of firefighters and local residents.
The ongoing heat waves have exacerbated fire conditions across the Balkans and southern Europe, disrupting the summer tourism season. Countries like North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Albania have sought international assistance.
North Macedonia requested aid from the European Union and indicated it might seek NATO support if the situation deteriorates. Emergency center chief Stojanche Angelov stated, "At this moment there is no need, but the assistance might be needed later today.”
Large wildfires in North Macedonia destroyed homes and claimed lives, including an elderly resident in a village near the capital, Skopje. A blaze crossed into Greece, where firefighting aircraft helped prevent the flames from reaching a forest near Lake Doiran.
Greek firefighters also battled a wildfire on the island of Evia, northeast of Athens. Authorities deployed 11 air tankers, three water-dropping helicopters, and 120 firefighters to combat the blaze, hindered by strong winds.
Bulgaria’s border with Greece was similarly affected, with one of the country’s two largest fires active there. The other raged on Maleshevska Mountain on the border with North Macedonia, affecting tens of thousands of acres of forests and agricultural land.
In Albania, a major fire in the coastal town of Shengjin was brought under control after burning a house roof and two beach bars. Hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers contributed to extinguishing the blaze.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism provided planes to aid firefighting efforts in Bulgaria and Albania. Experts attribute the wild weather swings, increasingly unpredictable storms, and heat waves to human-induced climate change.
Testorides reported from North Macedonia. Llazar Semini in Albania, Veselin Toshkov in Bulgaria, and Derek Gatopoulos in Greece also contributed.