The Government Spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgjiev announced enhanced controls of critical wildfire points, as well as bans and sanctions towards reducing the causes of their emergence at Thursday.

"Controls of critical points will be enhanced by a bigger number of people and field presence. The forest police will act with increased capacity. Airplanes and helicopters will be used for monitoring towards locating the causes and critical points, along with active involvement of the police", said Gjorgjiev.

According to him, all those caught in wildfire-planting activities will be heavily sanctioned.

"Three wildfires are currently active in Macedonia - Jasen, Radusa and Caska. The capital and other populated places are not under threat", added Gjorgjiev.

Field analyses and experiences have shown that the human factor is one of the main causes of wildfires. They are caused by inappropriate burning of pastures and stubble fields, planted in order to cover up illegal tree felling, and in certain cases in order to provoke the emergence of the mushroom 'smrca' after the fire has been extinguished, which is rare and expensive on the market.

In accordance with the decision of the Government, the Protection and Rescue Directorate, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry and Water Economy, the State Inspectorate for Forestry and Hunting, and the Forest Police will enhance controls in the regions of Makedonski Brod, Skopje and Tetovo. Moreover, the picking and selling of 'smrca' mushrooms is banned until September 5 of this year.

The ban for movement in forests remains in force, with the exception of tours approved by competent authorities.