Landscape Fires

History of Landscape Fires (2000–2021)

Over the past two decades, forest fires have been a major threat to North Macedonia’s forests and natural resources. The extent of damage varies from year to year, including the number of fires, burned areas, damages, and causes.

Based on the data on the number of fires and the total burned area in North Macedonia for the period 2000 to 2021, a total of 4811 fires occurred in North Macedonia during the period, resulting in over 201,121 hectares of land being burned. The number of fires and burned areas varied significantly from year to year. For instance, in 2007 the country experienced a high number of fires (652) and significantly burned an area of 35,248 hectares.

The total burned area fluctuated significantly in different regions over the years. For example, Pelagonia’s burned area ranged from 779 hectares in 2012 to 2,010 hectares in 2018. Data from the State Statistical Office indicates that wildfires significantly affect North Macedonia, with the Southeastern region experiencing the most frequent and extensive fires. Other regions like Eastern and Southwestern also faced high burned areas in some years.

The total burnt forest growing stock over the 23 years was 2,495,835 cubic meters. This highlights the significant environmental impact of forest fires and their destructive nature.

Causes of Forest Fires

Landscape fires in North Macedonia, like worldwide, result from various causes, both natural and human-induced. Human activities account for a substantial percentage (70-90%) of all forest fires globally. Common human causes include land-use changes, agriculture expansion, urbanization, industrial activities, and recreation.

Human-caused fires can be unintentional (from activities like campfires, cigarettes, or equipment use) or intentional (for purposes like land clearing or vandalism). Additionally, climate change contributes to the increasing frequency and severity of forest fires in the region, with rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and droughts elevating the risk of wildfires, especially in Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean regions like North Macedonia.