Ahead of the summer that brings fires every year, Prilep is trying to stay a step ahead of the flames. The municipal protection and rescue headquarters held a coordination meeting with all the relevant institutions and services, aiming to deal in time with the heightened risk of open-air fires.

The measures are part of a broader national strategy. A ban on burning stubble is in force - a frequent cause of fires that spread out of control - and the state agriculture and forestry inspectorates are announcing stepped-up field checks through the summer. From 1 July, a total ban on entering forests and forest land also takes effect.

From 1 July to 31 August, movement in forest areas will be restricted, with mandatory registration and permits, and oversight will be reinforced with the use of drones and aircraft. On paper, all of it sounds organised and timely.

The question, as every summer, is whether the plan will stay a plan. Coordination meetings and bans matter, but fires aren't put out with press releases - they're put out with equipment, trained people and a fast response. Prilep and all of Macedonia have watched the mountains burn too many times while the system reacts when it's already too late. Prevention only counts if it's more than an announcement.