site.bta 133 Forest Fires Registered Since Beginning of 2015

133 Forest Fires Registered Since Beginning of 2015

Sofia, July 29 (BTA) - A total of 133 forest fires have erupted since the beginning of this year in Bulgaria, affecting an area of around 500 ha, said Deputy Agriculture Minister Georgi Kostov on Wednesday, quoted by his Ministry.

He noted that there were a total of 124 fires during the same period of 2014, which had reached 151 by the end of the year.

Kostov explained that the forest fire in the Rila mountain, which erupted on Friday, has caused damages for around 350,000 leva so far, excluding the lost timber, habitats and the anti-erosion qualities of the affected terrain. The Land Forces reported that servicemen from the specialized unit for dealing with natural disasters are still fighting the fire in an area above the Rila Monastery.

Another fire has erupted in a deciduous forest near the village of Bryagovo, Haskovo Region (Southeast Bulgaria), said the village Mayor Delcho Mitev. The fire is covering an area of around 65 ha, fueled mostly by dry grass. There is no risk for nearby settlements, the Haskovo regional administration assured.