site.btaDefence Minister Orders All Armed Forces Units on Stand By to Join Fire Suppression Efforts Where Necessary

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov ordered Wednesday that all Armed Forces units be put on stand by and be ready to join fire suppression efforts when necessary, said the Defence Ministry. The order applies even in areas which have been free of wildfires.

Wild fires are burning at many locations across the country, stoked by near-record temperatures.

The Defence Ministry further said that their capacity to fight fires, especially from the air, and for transportation of heavy equipment for making clearances in wooded areas, is not unlimited. "All Bulgarian people can help put under control the critical situation by observing the fire precautions," the statement said.

It was reported earlier in the day that another 30 service persons and six vehicles from 42nd mechanized battalion from the 2nd Tundzha Mechanized Brigade joined the fire fighters trying to put down a major fire at the village of Voden in the southern Yambol Region. A helicopter that was dropping water on a fire in the southern village of Otets Paisievo, was redirected to join the fire fighters and military personnel in Yambol Region.