site.btaEfforts to Put Out Wildfire at Bulgarian-Greek Border Continue

The efforts to put out the wildfire in Slavyanka Mountain at the Bulgarian-Greek border continue for two weeks now. On Thursday, BTA learned from Southwest State Enterprise Deputy Director Vanya Kamenova that the fire, which began on the Greek side of the border on July 18 and spread to Bulgaria on July 24, has been contained so that it does not engulf new territories. The wildfire currently rages within the Ali Botush Reserve and some 200 to 300 metres of a state forest territory.

The meteorological conditions are unfavourable because the temperatures are high and the wind picks up in the afternoon, she noted. "We rely a lot on helicopters and possibly aircraft to pour water on top of the flames," she added. Due to the harsh terrain, machinery cannot be used, so over 40 people equipped with instruments are working on site. Staff from all territorial divisions of Southwest State Enterprise have been mobilized, she specified.

Firefighters from Samokov are helping fight the wildfire in Slavyanka Mountain near the village of Petrovo, Chief Inspector Ivelina Drenska, head of the regional fire safety and civil protection service, told BTA.  A team was sent there on July 30 with an all-terrain fire engine. In July alone, they have fought 40 fires in Samokov Municipality.

Colonel Nikolay Nikolov, Staff Chief  of 3rd Brigade Command in Blagoevgrad, told journalists that service persons from 3rd Brigade Command have been participating in the firefighting efforts in Slavyanka Mountain for ten days now. There were over 20 service persons on site on Thursday, and a total of 240 have already taken part on a rotation principle.

According to a press release by the Interior Ministry, 64 people are taking part in the firefighting efforts in the area of Goleshovo village in Slavyanka Mountain.

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BTA’s local correspondents Dessislava Velkova in Blagoevgrad, Evelina Mitreva in Petrich, and Ivan Laskin in Samokov contributed to this story.