The Director of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" in Blagoevgrad, Commissioner Valentin Vasilev, reported a critical situation with a spreading fire in the area of Ilindentsi village. According to official information, the fire covers an area between 10,000 and 13,000 decares, with 2,000 decares occupied by forest.
Rescue operations are being conducted simultaneously in several directions - towards the villages of Ploski and Vlahi. Over 200 professional and volunteer rescuers have been mobilized on the ground, including experts from the Southwestern State Enterprise and firefighters from various regions of the country.
Additional support of 21 military personnel is expected to assist in efforts to control the fire. Air support will be provided by two Bulgarian and one foreign helicopter, which will attack the fire from the air.
Commissioner Vasilev emphasized that the wind has changed the direction of the fire's spread towards Petrich, which further complicates the rescue operation. Despite the challenges, the teams managed to prevent the fire from spreading to residential buildings.
Targeted firefighting actions were taken at the beginning of the villa zone near Vlahi with six fire trucks. Heavy smoke was brought under control thanks to pre-prepared firebreaks, which prevented the fire from spreading.
Rescuers are counting on a decrease in wind during the day, but are not relying solely on atmospheric conditions to extinguish the fire. The main strategy includes using firebreaks and precise positioning of equipment for maximum effective fire containment.
At the moment, no building has been affected, which is due to the quick and coordinated intervention of rescue teams. Efforts continue to fully localize the fire in the Ilindentsi area.