Wildfire in the area of Yugovo village is growing, a Cougar helicopter re-joins the fire fighting efforts

The wildfire in the area of the village of Yugovo in Bulgaria's Phodope mountains has been burning for six days now. The flames are creeping towards the houses, but they are still a kilometre and a half or two away, according to a drone raised by the fire brigade over the place where the fire is burning.

Currently, following an order from Commissioner Brishimov of the Plovdiv Fire Brigade, the military and the local residents are clearing dry grass and bushes near houses at the end of the village to form a protective shaft to prevent the fire from directly endangering houses and people.

During the night, 7 fire engines will remain on site, and there will be another one in the centre of the village.

At this stage there is no direct danger for the people in the village of Yugovo.

At this rate of growth, according to firefighters, the fire may reach the village in a day, a day and a half, but the fire department guarantees that they will do everything possible to prevent this from happening.

As of yesterday, the mayor of Laki municipality has declared a partial state of emergency.

According to Valentin Simeonov, mayor of the town of Laki, the fire has already engulfed about 1,000 decares of forest, so far no evacuation of people is planned.

A Cougar helicopter from the 24th Krumovo Air Base took off at 12.30 today to rejoin the firefighting in the area of ​​the village. 46 servicemen from the 4th Artillery Regiment - Asenovgrad provide assistance in battling the blaze.