Forest fire state of emergency extended in South Bulgaria’s Svilengrad

The state of emergency in the South Bulgarian region of Svilengrad was extended until 11th of August because of the large-scale forest fire, which has engulfed nearly 50 000 decares of dry grass and forests in the area.

More than 200 fire fighters, volunteers, military and forest personnel have been battling the blaze.

Large machines including bulldozers and plows are used to clear openings and firebreaks to stop the spread of the fire.

Chief Commissioner Nikolai Nikolo, Director of the fire fighting service explained that the fire has been limited from three sides. He added it was not allowed to reach settlements. No one has been injured or died. There are no serious material damages, he added.

He said that yesterday there was a high risk of spreading into the nearby settlements, but today the situation was brought under control and there is no risk for humans and their properties.

Currently, the efforts of the fire fighting teams are focussed on tackling the fire, which has reached to the Bulgarian border with Turkey. Nikolov said that Turkish fire fighting authorities were notified and if needed they will join the efforts to extinguish the fire on their territory.

Nikolov also added that more than 120 wildfires have been extinguished over the past 24 hours in the country.

Due to the forecast hot weather, the situation is expected to become more complicated.

At noon, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borrisov arrived on the site.