Considering the extremely high temperatures and low humidity of the air that create ideal preconditions for fires, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning sends an APPEAL to the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, to behave responsibly in the open air, with the aim of reducing the threats from fires that have already are raging in some regions of the country.
We especially appeal to farmers not to burn stubble and dry remains in their yards, and if spending a long time in nature, citizens to refrain from lighting any kind of fire in the open air and to report any sighting of a fire in nature.
Forest fires occur when extreme weather conditions prevail, the main ones being long periods of drought and heat waves. As these weather conditions become more extreme or longer, the risk of fire increases, that is, climate change increases the chance of creating conditions that contribute to the outbreak and uncontrolled spread of fires.
Given that fires have serious negative consequences not only for the forest fund, but also affect air quality, human life and health, biodiversity and overall climate change, we note that all perpetrators will be punished in accordance with the prescribed legal provisions which provide for appropriate penalties for natural and legal persons.