In conditions of increased risk of wildfire spread, the Air Force Ving was urgently engaged today to support the operation to extinguish a large forest fire in the area of the village of Grchishte, Valandovo.
The intervention began early this morning, after receiving an official request and completing technical and operational preparations. One Mi-8MT helicopter was involved in the operation, which carried out ten precise water drops, releasing a total of 25 tons of water onto critical hotspots.
The Air Force Ving operated in close coordination with the relevant institutions on the ground, including the Crisis Management Center (CMC), municipal services, firefighting units, and volunteers. The activities focused on localizing the fire along two main fire fronts — one towards the villages of Kazan Dol and Furka, and the other towards the Municipality of Bogdanci.
The air support significantly reduced the intensity of the fire in the critical zones, and helped prevent its further spread. This engagement is part of the Air Force Ving ongoing readiness to provide rapid, efficient and strategic air support, in order to protect the population, the environment and the critical infrastructure.
The operation continues with increased mobility and coordination of all relevant services, with the Air Force Ving remaining on constant standby for intervention and additional air support, with the aim of minimizing the risk of fire spread and protecting lives, property, and the natural environment.
