Bulgaria is grappling with severe wildfires that have spread across various regions, prompting the government to seek international assistance.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has requested logistical support from Turkey, including four bulldozers with two fire teams each, two helicopters, and other essential equipment. The Council of Ministers has underscored the urgent need for additional fire-fighting resources to combat the widespread blazes.
In a swift response to the crisis, two helicopters dispatched by the Czech Republic under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism have arrived at Plovdiv airport. A team from the Czech Fire Service is also expected to join the ground efforts soon.
Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev is being updated every two hours by regional governors, while the operational headquarters maintains constant communication. To ensure rapid reporting of fires, a special 24-hour hotline has been established.
Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov visited the village of Voden in the Yambol region, where a massive fire had forced evacuations and destroyed several homes.
Stoyanov reported that efforts to contain the fire involve collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, forestry services, and the deployment of heavy equipment. The awaited assistance from Turkish helicopters and firefighting vehicles is expected to bolster these efforts significantly.
The fire in Voden has been successfully contained, with measures in place to secure the village and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby Sharkovo and Kraynovo. Equipment, water sprinklers, and gendarmerie support are on standby.
Alexander Jartov, director of the Main Directorate “Fire Safety and Protection of the Population,” stated that 23 teams are working diligently to secure the area around the settlements with clearings before sending in fire-fighting teams. Coordination with volunteers has been effective, and firefighters continue to work under challenging conditions.
Despite these extensive efforts, the National Rapid Response System failed to notify the population about the approaching fires due to their rapid spread. A new fire near Svilengrad, likely sparked by a substation, threatens to cross into Turkey.
Firefighters are currently on the scene, and satellite images from NASA reveal the extent of the largest outbreak near Svilengrad. In the past week, nearly 135,000 decares, including forests, have burned in Haskovo, destroying 26 buildings and damaging two cars.
The European Forest Fire Information System has reported an increase in fire outbreaks in Bulgaria this year, with areas burned exceeding those of previous years. It is estimated that it will take 100 years to fully restore the burnt forests, and the annual cost of damage and prevention is projected at 100 million BGN.
In Stara Zagora, the large fire is now under control, but volunteers remain on duty to prevent new flare-ups. The damage, which includes burnt pine and mixed forests, three houses, and an apiary, is still being assessed. The road from Stara Zagora to the mineral baths resort has reopened for traffic.
Meanwhile, the fight against the fire continues in Karlovo’s village of Father Paisievo, where 30 buildings have been burned and helicopters are aiding firefighters and volunteers. Across the country, numerous outbreaks persist, with firefighters responding to 350 signals and extinguishing 269 fires by this morning.
As Bulgaria battles these devastating wildfires, the international support and coordination among various agencies are crucial in preventing further destruction and safeguarding the affected communities.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members