site.btaPartial State of Emergency Declared in Dupnitsa as Mt Rila Fire Rages into Its Fourth Day

Dupnitsa Mayor Parvan Dangov declared a partial state of emergency in the southwestern town due to a wildfire in Mt Rila which started on August 23, the municipal press office said on Monday. The Mayor's order is effective indefinitely.

The decision was prompted by the continuing spread of blazes in forest areas near the villages of Samoranovo and Bistritsa and smoke in part of Dupnitsa Municipality. It is feared that the fire may spread further and gas the settlements in the area, the reasoning for the decision says.

Armed forces personnel are expected to join the effort to extinguish the fire. About three hectares of forest has burned so far. Fighting the blaze is difficult because of the rough terrain and the high altitude. The work is being done only manually, using hoes and spades. It takes about an hour's walk to get to the scene, the fire service said.

The locals are prepared to use all available equipment, but they also expect assistance from the central government, the municipality said, quoting Mayor Dangov.