Bulgaria continue to fight raging forest fires for third day in a row

The efforts of fire fighters are concentrated in the region of Sredna Gora mountain today, July 15, due to smouldering fires and expected high temperatures. So far, more than 20 thousand decares of coniferous and deciduous forests have been burnt in the municipalities of Hisarya and Kaloyanovo.

For the fourth day in a row, fire fighting teams continue to battle the forest fire in the districts of Hisarya and Kaloyanovo, where a partial state of emergency is in force.

In the village of Ivan Vazovo there was a call for volunteers, but there are none there at the moment because the situation is much calmer. However, fire fighting crews remain in the area today due to isolated smouldering fires and expected high temperatures.

Shortly after 7.00am this morning, firefighters were joined by 51 members of the Land Forces, as well as forestry staff.

In the low part of the village of Ivan Vasovo, there are isolated outbreaks in abandoned vineyards, which are being treated to prevent the fire from spreading again.

In the village of Mihiltsi the situation is relatively calm. Every report of outbreak is being checked on the perimeter of the fire that has raged in the area for the past three days.

However, wild fire is still burning in Sakar mountain, Southern Bulgaria, for the third day in a row. Over 120 thousand decares have been burnt, 24 thousand decares of which are forests. The most serious situation is in the area of the village of Levka. There is no danger to people and houses, but the situation there remains most critical. The fire in the direction of Mladinovo village is under control.

Fire lines are being made in the area of the villages of Shtit and Mihalich. At the moment the fire is isolated and there is no danger of it entering the Republic of Turkey. 17 fire brigade teams, forestry teams, volunteers continue to work on the ground.

Due to smoke from the fire in Sakar, the road between Svilengrad and Topolovgrad is closed to traffic.

Helicopters are expected to join the fight against the fire today. Yesterday, two machines of the military made a total of over 120 trips, dropping over 220 tonnes of water.

The fight against fires continues in several regions of the country, with the situation in the Sakar mountain being the most severe. Although the fire was brought under control on July 13, strong winds reignited it between the villages of Shtit and Mihalich, causing it to spread rapidly. Chief Commissioner Alexander Jartov, director of "Fire Safety and Protection of the Population" Directorate reported on BNT from the village of Mustrak in Svilengrad, yesterday, July 14, where 73,000 acres have burned. There were 15 fire engines, 50 firefighters, 20 forest officers with five firefighting vehicles, and three bulldozers on the scene. Two Air Force helicopters and volunteers were expected to join the efforts.