46 Fires in One Day, 16 Still Active: Why Shar and Korab Are Still Burning in October
The Crisis Management Center registered 46 open-area fires, of which 16 remain active, including one on Shar Mountain above Bogovinsko Lake — an unusually late point in the year for this scale of fires.
The Crisis Management Center registered 46 open-area fires in one day, of which 16 remained active and one was brought under control. The fires affected areas near Drachevica, Debar, Jabolchishte, Matejche and Strima, with one of the most concerning burning on Shar Mountain above Bogovinsko Lake, spreading across high-altitude pastures.
The number of fires in October is unusually high for this time of year — a month when the fire season typically winds down with the arrival of autumn rains. Crews on the ground continue extinguishing efforts, with some fires, particularly those in harder-to-reach terrain like Shar and Korab, requiring prolonged engagement.
While official sources have not given a detailed causal analysis of this wave of fires, the timing coincides with rising demand for firewood ahead of the winter season — a period when illegal logging traditionally increases, with open-area burning, whether accidental or intentional, remaining a frequent associated risk. The open question is whether some of these fires are linked to timber-related activity ahead of winter.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 5, 2026
