Movement in forests and forest strips all over Macedonia will be banned as of Wednesday till September 3. Only employees of enterprises doing logging activities will be permitted to enter forests.

The move has been executed in an attempt to prevent wildfires, because chances to break out are increased due to the heat wave gripping the country.

"High temperatures, southern wind and relatively low air humidity without any chances of rain are expected in the next several days, which could trigger forest fires," Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Ljupco Dimovski told a press conference on Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry, border and forest police will monitor forests round-the-clock.

The Protection and Rescue Directorate is monitoring the situation and is fully prepared to act in case of fire breakout, its director said.

219 large forest fires have been reported between July 1 and August 22. The figure compared to last year is not alarming, according to the minister.