Helicopter battles wildfire near Stara Zagora

A large wildfire is raging in the "7th kilometer" area near the villa zone of Stara Zagora. Its residents have been evacuated. The fire has engulfed a pine forest. A partial state of emergency has been declared.

Helicopters are assisting in battling the fire near Stara Zagora.

22 servicemen from the 38th battalion of the Second Tundzhan Mechanised Brigade - Stara Zagora with 4 units of equipment took part in extinguishing the forest fire that occurred in a hard-to-reach mountainous area northwest of the town. Crews and helicopters from the 24th Air Base - Krumovo of the Air Force assisted in the firefighting efforts. A Cougar helicopter took off at 09.52 and an Mi-17 at 09.57 for the fire site.

Nearly 70 volunteers also took part this morning in battling the massive fire, which has been raging north of Stara Zagora for the second day in the area of the 7th kilometer. The flames have burned across an area of 7000 decares, in a perimeter of 12 km. There are six outbreaks and the partial state of emergency declared yesterday remains in force.

Images by BGNES