site.btaFire High in Mt Rila Not Under Control Yet

A fire raging high in Mount Rila (Southwestern Bulgaria) is not under control yet, Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, Director of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, told reporters on Sunday. No settlement is at risk.

More than 70 firefighters, forest guards and volunteers tried to contain the fire during the day using a transport drone and backpack fire extinguishers. This being a ground fire, it cannot be extinguished by a helicopter. The fire was not contained because of the difficult terrain, said Dzhartov.

On Monday, firefighters, forest guards, volunteers, probably joined by military personnel, will continue the effort. Dzhartov explained that in the high parts of the mountains it is impossible to work with equipment and a fire can be put out only by hand.