A wildfire near the Bulgarian-Greek border remains critical, approaching within 600 meters of Bulgarian territory. The fire, now in its fourth consecutive day, threatens the Sandanski villages of Petrovo and Goleshovo, both less than two kilometers from the blaze. The Bulgarian fire department has deemed the situation high-risk.
Efforts to combat the fire resumed early this morning, with foresters and firefighters creating clearings to prevent the fire from spreading into Slavyanka Mountain, home to the Ali Botush reserve.
Plamen Poyukov, director of the Katuntsi State Police, spoke to BNT about the ongoing efforts: “Our teams were on the line as early as 4:30 a.m., analyzing the situation. At 5:00 a.m., they went to the mountain.
The eastern front of the fire reached 600 meters from our border. Grass and bushes are burning there. It is quite possible for our people to stop this fire with our methods.
The Greeks are also trying to put it out. That’s why we started clearing about a kilometer and a half from the border. We made a special clearing along the border furrow to prevent a fire on our territory.” Poyukov reassured that there is currently no danger to populated areas, noting that the village of Goleshevo is five kilometers from the furrow.
In Bolyarovo Municipality, the fight against the fire near border villages has entered its seventh day. Firefighters and soldiers are working to extinguish the blaze near the village of Golyam Dervent, which has affected 73,000 acres.
High temperatures and strong winds are complicating firefighting efforts, but authorities report no immediate danger to people. Temporary accommodation is being provided for those in need, with the first seven vans arriving yesterday and more expected soon.
Nikolay Kostadinov, manager of Yambol, provided an update on the situation: “There are three outbreaks between the villages of Voden and Kraynovo. One is in the ‘Three Spouts’ area near the village of Golyam Dervent. Yesterday, two Spanish planes and helicopters took part in extinguishing the fire.
Today, military and firemen are on the ground, working to contain the fire spread over 73,000 acres. The temperatures are not high at the moment, and there is no danger to populated areas, but the situation is dynamic and could change during the day.” Kostadinov also mentioned that containers with beds, kitchenware, and household utensils are expected to be furnished today.
Despite the tireless efforts of firefighters and soldiers, the fire continues to pose a significant threat.
Authorities are working to contain and extinguish the blaze on both sides of the border, with the situation remaining fluid. Preventive measures, including the creation of clearings and the deployment of additional firefighting resources, are in place to protect nearby communities.
The wildfire’s proximity to Bulgarian territory and its potential to spread further emphasize the urgency of the ongoing efforts. The coordinated response between Bulgarian and Greek authorities highlights the severity of the situation and the determination to safeguard both natural reserves and populated areas from the devastating effects of the fire.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members