site.btaFire at Bulgarian-Greek Border Severe but Controlled, No Need to Evacuate Nearby Settlements

Since Saturday, the situation with the fire on the Bulgarian-Greek border has been quite severe, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said on Sunday, adding that two Greek helicopters, two airplanes and the two helicopters of the Bulgarian military continue to fight the blaze.

"The fire front is very large, very heavy terrain. Several times the fire has been extremely close to the border, but fortunately colleagues from the fire brigade and Border Police have managed to contain it and it is still at the border. I hope that with the help of six aircraft and the people on the ground we will have more serious progress extinguishing the fire," he said.

General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection Director Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov told the Bulgarian National Radio that for the moment the fire is controlled enough not to enter the country uncontrollably. The wind is constantly changing direction and does not help the firefighting efforts.

He clarified that there was no need to evacuate people from the nearest settlements as they were far from the fire.

Dzhartov recalled that two helicopters of the Air Force - a Cougar and a Mi-17 - participated in the extinguishing on Saturday and the firefighters will rely on at least one of them again on Sunday. He noted that the terrain is difficult and rugged. 

Later on Sunday, the Interior Ministry confirmed that the Mi-17 aircraft is once again at the site.

"We are basically climbing certain border strips where we can attack the fire," he explained. He said the main suppression measures are the aircraft.