A massive forest fire is sweeping across 5,000 acres near Harmanli, Bulgaria, with flames stretching between the villages of Dositeevo and Kolarovo.
The blaze, which began Monday evening in the Radinchevo area, rapidly intensified as shifting winds fueled its spread. By Tuesday morning, regional authorities confirmed the fire remained uncontained.
More than 60 firefighters are currently battling the inferno, assisted by 13 fire trucks, municipal personnel, forestry workers, and local farmers using heavy machinery. Specialized tracked vehicles have also been deployed to navigate the rough terrain.
The firefighting operation is led by Senior Commissioner Mitko Chakalov, Director of the Haskovo Regional Fire Safety and Population Protection Directorate, alongside Chief Inspector Slavi Spasov, head of the Harmanli division.
Harmanli mayor Maria Kirkova and deputy mayor Valentina Dimulska remain on-site, monitoring the operation closely. Officials say there is no immediate danger to nearby settlements, but the fire remains unpredictable.
Harmanli Municipality is supplying food and water to all emergency personnel. Once the fire is contained, authorities will begin a detailed assessment to determine the damage and identify the cause of the blaze.
Authorities have issued repeated warnings to the public about the dangers of negligence. Residents are urged to avoid lighting fires, burning waste, or conducting any activities that might create sparks during these dry, windy conditions. Any signs of fire should be immediately reported to emergency number 112.
Meanwhile, Southwestern Bulgaria is facing its own wildfire challenges. In the Pirin region, recent rainfall provided some relief to firefighting efforts near Ilindentsi but failed to fully suppress the threat.
Deep smoldering hotspots, especially in peat-rich areas and thick tree trunks, remain active after four days of continuous burning.
Commissioner Valentin Vassilev, head of the Blagoevgrad Regional Fire Safety Directorate, noted that a new flare-up was detected Monday, prompting the redirection of firefighting teams.
“There are numerous internal fires we continue to battle,” he said, stressing that while light rain is falling, it is insufficient to fully extinguish deeper hotspots.
The village of Ploski, which was recently evacuated, remains at high risk. On Monday morning, a drone operated by fire authorities captured a 79-year-old man burning dry vegetation in his yard.
Police intervened, and the man now faces a fine of up to 2,000 leva for reckless behavior. His son, Anton Kostadinov, publicly acknowledged their mistake. “Everything’s dry, the weather is terrible. The mountain has already burned. Yes, we’re at fault,” he admitted.
Interior Minister Daniel Mitov also took to social media to urge citizens to avoid all outdoor fires. Fire officials emphasized that over 90% of wildfires in Bulgaria are caused by human negligence, with current weather conditions heightening the risk of disaster.
Emergency crews continue to battle the flames, hoping to contain the Harmanli blaze before winds shift again. The full scale of the damage will only become clear after the fire is finally brought under control.
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