(ANSA) - BELGRADE, AUG 24 - Wildfires continue to rage in the Western Balkans, with the majority of emergencies centred in North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, particularly Republika Srpska (RS). North Macedonia has taken the lead in recent hours and is experiencing its worst environmental crisis in years, with over 15 active fires as of Sunday afternoon and over 30 outbreaks in recent days. The fires are raging from north to south, particularly in Prilep, Studeničani, Kičevo, and Lipkovo. Stojanče Angelov, head of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, described the day as "one of the most difficult of the season," with flames threatening residential areas in Strumica. Local firefighters were able to contain the blaze just metres from homes. Authorities describe an unprecedented strain on the rescue system, which is working on multiple fronts simultaneously. Hundreds of hectares have gone up in smoke, and there have been reports of smoke poisoning. In Bosnia, the most critical situation is in the territory of Republika Srpska (RS), in the southern city of Trebinje, near the Croatian border and about thirty kilometers from Dubrovnik. Firefighters worked extremely hard last nite in the RS, especially on the roads to Tuli and Kremen Dol, where the fire could spread to high-risk areas and the city landfill. Recently, fires have been reported outside Serbia in Bileća, Bijeljina, Zvornik, and Srebrenica. The situation is critical today near Zvornik, on the border with Serbia, where the fire is spreading towards the residential area. Another less intense fire is burning on Trebević Hill, above Sarajevo. In Serbia, the situation has improved slightly in Deliblatska Peščara, a sandy and rugged area in Vojvodina where fires have raged for several days and burnt thousands of hectares. The Czech Republic and Romania have loaned helicopters to firefighters to assist them in extinguishing the fires. A front is also becoming out of control in Stolovi, a mountainous area in central Serbia where an Ilyushin Il-76 loaned from Russia is operating. Finally, there are five active fires in Montenegro. (ANSA).