site.btaBulgaria's Largest Wild Fire in 2016 Burns in the Southeast

Bulgaria's Largest Wild Fire in 2016 Burns in the Southeast

Sofia, August 31 (BTA) - A wild fire near the southeastern village of Bulgarska Polyana has spread to over 800 ha of forests. It is the largest wild fire in Bulgaria this year, said the Forestry Executive Agency Wednesday.

A state of emergency has been declared in Topolovgrad Municipality.

A farmer and two of his workers have been remanded in custody on suspicion of involvement in starting the fire, Haskovo police chief Angel Tsankov told BTA.

Investigators believe that the fire was caused by stubble burning gone out of control.

The fire has affected mostly coniferous forests. At places it is burning the forest crown.

Firemen with 22 fire engines are fighting the fire. Thirty-one service persons were sent to help them in the fire's northwestern end where it is only 100 m away from the nearest houses. A water-dropping helicopter is expected to join the fire-suppression efforts.

Fifty people from 20 houses that were closest to the fire were evacuated Tuesday night and are reported in good condition. Some of them spent the night in the mayor's office and the others used accommodation provided for them in Topolovgrad. Medical aid, food and water have been provided for them.

There have been 355 wild fires since the start of this year and the affected territory totals 3,600 ha. Half of this is in the territory of the southeastern Haskovo Region.

Ten per cent of the wild fires have been crown fires.