site.btaInterior Minister: Wildfire in Greece Has Not Advanced toward Bulgaria over Night

Caretaker Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov visited on Thursday the Bulgarian-Greek border near which a wildfire has been raging for a week, threatening to cross into Bulgaria, the Interior Ministry press service said. Stoyanov reported that the situation is relatively calm, as the fire had not advanced towards Bulgarian territory on the night against Thursday.

At the end of Wednesday, it transpired that the fire was about 100 metres away from Bulgaria. "The teams deployed here are on standby, ready to act," Stoyanov said. He praised the fire service, the State Forestry Enterprises and the Ministry of Defence for their good coordination and field work.

The Minister reported: "We have made the necessary arrangements. There are enough hydrants in the nearest settlement from where fire engines will refuel if necessary."

In a video call on Tuesday, Stoyanov offered to help Greece fight wildfires by sending helicopters, equipment and firefighters.

The Minister was adamant that people's safety comes first, which is why initially, aerial equipment will be used to "bring down" the fire low. Only then will firefighting teams on the ground be involved.