site.btaFire Front in Maleshevo Mountain Largely Contained, Fire Chief Says

The fire front in Maleshevo Mountain has been largely contained, Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, Director of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, told a news briefing here on Thursday. "There is a place which at this point is inaccessible, and would rather not enthuse prematurely," he commented.

The Maleshevo Mountain straddles the border between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

Dzhartov said that after the good news late yesterday afternoon, the wind rekindled the fire and the fire fighters were unable to get it under control, mainly because they could not reach the location, which is of a small front.

He explained that fire fighters, forest rangers, local government employees, volunteers and military joined the effort on Thursday. "The teams are sufficient but the wind causes problems," the Chief Commissioner added.

He explained that the helicopters help prevent an uncontrollable expansion of the fire, especially to pine woods areas. "A lot remains to be done today," Dzhartov said.