Raging wild fire in Rila engulfs 500 decares of mixed forest

The extinguishing of the big wild fire in Bulgaria’s Rila mountain near the village of Dolno Osenovo goes on for a second consecutive day on October 28.

The fire has already engulfed about 500 decares of mixed forest.

More than 160 people including firefighters, employees of the Southwestern State Enterprise and Rila National Park take part in the extinguishing, which mainly by manual means, becuase of the dificult access to the terain.

Ground troops and helicopters also assist in fighting the raging fire.

Eng. Damyan Damyanov, Director of Southwestern State Enterprise: The efforts are to preserve the forest. As you can see behind us, the fire goes to the ridge, where the alpine part is. There is dry grass there, so the efforrts are focused in the lower part of the forest to limit the fire.

In the village of Dolno Osenovo, which is one of the closest settlements to the fire, volunteers are ready to assist in bringing it under control.

The most likely cause is human negligence in dealing with fire, Southwestern State Enterprise said.