Haskovo Municipality Mayor Stanislav Dechev has declared a state of partial emergency for a period of three days or until the circumstances necessitating the measure are resolved. The partial state of emergency covers the territories of the villages of Lyubenovo, Dinevo, Malevo, Krivo Pole, and Koren, the municipal administration's press office announced.
The state of partial emergency was introduced due to a major fire that broke out in the early afternoon on Sunday, August 23. At this time, the fire has scorched approximately 10,000 decares of land within the territories of the five settlements.
According to the Haskovo Regional Administration, around 30 vehicles, including 18 fire trucks, were operating on the ground throughout the night. Controlled counter-fire was also used to limit the spread of the flames. The Ministry of Interior authorities in the region are providing full cooperation.
By order of the mayor, the Municipal Disaster Protection Plan has been activated. Forces from the Regional Fire Safety and Population Protection Service in Haskovo and the Municipal Forestry Enterprise are participating in the firefighting efforts. The overall management of the operation is being led by the chief of the Regional Fire Safety and Population Protection Service in Haskovo. If necessary, additional forces from the unified rescue system will be deployed in stages, as well as tracked machinery from commercial companies to create firebreaks.
The mayors of the affected settlements must inform the public about the measures taken to prevent smoke inhalation and accidents. The officials responsible for implementing these measures are the Deputy Mayor of Haskovo Municipality and the Chief of the Regional Fire Safety and Population Protection Service in Haskovo.
Regarding the cause of the fire, several theories are being investigated: human negligence, ignition of dry grass from an electric cable near a reservoir, and ignition at an illegal dump near the village of Dinevo.