Military helicopter joins battle against wildfire in Western Bulgaria

A big wildfire is burning between the villages of Levski and Elshitsa in the region of Pazardzhik, Western Bulgaria, August 8. The fire has also engulfed a coniferous forest. Teams of the fire fighting services from Pazardzhik, Panagyurishte, Velingrad and Batak are battling the blaze.

In the late afternoon, a helicopter with a crew from the 24th Air Base Krumovo from the Military Air Force joined the fire fighting efforts. The Mi-17 helicopter took off from the air base at 17.14. The crew will assist the firefighters in extinguishing the fire by pouring water on the affected area from the air using the "bambi bucket" firefighting system.

The report of the fire was received shortly after 10.30 this morning and the initial information was of dry grass and stubble on fire in the land of Levski village. High temperatures combined with strong gusty winds, which quickly changed direction, led to the fire spreading.

At this stage, there is no risk of the flames to affect populated areas, the police said. The front of the fire is developing towards the village of Elshitsa, it has even entered a forest. That is why 4 fire engines and 4 high-clearance vehicles with staff and volunteers have been sent to the scene. Workers from the forest farms in Panagyurishte and Pazardzhik, people from nearby villages, are also involved in the extinguishing.