site.btaUPDATED Air Force Chopper Helps Put Out Wildfire near Plovdiv

A Bulgarian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter took off from the Krumovo Air Base at 5:10 p.m. to assist in fighting a wildfire in the area of Babek village, Brezovo Municipality, Plovdiv Region (South Central Bulgaria), the Defence Ministry said in a press release on Friday. The Air Force responded to a request from the Interior Ministry's General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection.

The helicopter will use a Bambi bucket system to deliver water for the aerial firefighting.

A deciduous forest went on fire Friday afternoon at a high altitude which cannot be reached by the three fire engines which have been rushed to the site.

The wildfire at Babek was put out about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, the Plovdiv Fire Service reported.

Five fire crews from Saedinenie, Stamboliiski and Plovdiv are trying to contain a fire of dry grass near Lyuben village (27 km north of Plovdiv) in a rugged terrain that is hard to reach. Strong wind in the area is a serious obstacle to helicopter flights. 
 
New wildfires broke out in Haskovo Region (South Central Bulgaria) on Friday afternoon. A strong wind is impeding the firefighting effort. A Code Red fire hazard warning has been issued for the region on Friday.