34 wildfires currently burning in Bulgaria, situation in most places is under control

47 reports about wildfires have been received at the National Operations Centre. 34 are currently active fires. The situation is under control in most places, said Commissioner Nikolai Nikolov, Head of General Directorate of Fire Safety and Population Protection, on August 10.

The raging flames are being fought by 309 fire fighters, 42 police officers, almost 100 forestry workers, about 50 volunteers, equipment of the fire brigade and the defence ministry - about 150 units in total.

The fires in Haskovo (Southern Bulgaria) and Pastrovo are not contained, but the situation is under control.

Attention is currently focused on the wildfire near the village of Tsrancha in Pazardzhik, Western Bulgaria, where a helicopter has been sent.

In other regions things are calm, said Commissioner Nikolov.

"The safety of the population is assured. At the moment there is no direct hazard. Fortunately, we have no dead and no injured, except the man in Bourgas. He did not die from the fire, but rather from a massive heart attack," he said.

In Shumen, a house was burnt down in an accident, leaving the woman inside injured.

Several houses, five of which were inhabited homes, burned down in the fires yesterday.

Commissioner Nikolov said that Maritsa motorway would not be closed, they had managed to contain the situation. He said, however, that a new fire had broken out near this one, but he hoped that things would be brought under control there as well.

Nikolov thanked the farmers and volunteers who are helping with personal equipment.

About the causes of the fires. he said:

"For many of the fires, it is clear. Those prerequisites like dry, windy weather, high temperature and human activity may cause fires. We are talking primarily about negligence, complacency and underestimating the situation."

He called for activity in the field to be suspended for a few days because the smallest spark is a potential danger to communities.