site.btaInterior Ministry Warns of Heightened Risk of Wildfires in Bulgaria

Interior Ministry Warns of  Heightened Risk of  Wildfires in Bulgaria

Sofia, August 4 (BTA) - The Interior Ministry warned Thursday of a heightened risk of wildfires in Bulgaria. Firefighters put down 166 fires in the past 24 hours but 20 new ones have started in the first 6 hours on August 4.

The situation is worst in the southern regions of Haskovo, Pazardjik, Plovdiv and Sliven.

A wildfire near the southern village of Cherna Mogila in Haskovo Region has been contained after burning over 30 ha of forest on Wednesday. People and their property are now out of danger's way.

Another major fire, near the village of Tsruncha in Pazardjik Region, was put down before it started again Wednesday, to be contained with the help of a helicopter. Close to 55 ha of vegetation was burned.

Eight uninhabited vacation houses were reduced to ashes by a fire near the southern town of Hissar. 20 other houses were saved from the flames. Two people were evacuated.