The Rila fire has been burning for 13 days, covering 2,600 acres
The fire in Rila has been burning for 13 days now, covering a huge area of 2,600 acres in one of the most picturesque and protected parts of the country. Although the fire's intensity is decreasing, the inferno remains active, and the efforts of the on-site teams are focused on containing the last smoldering hotspots.
A major concern for the rescue teams are the smoldering tree stumps scattered along the entire front of the fire. These hidden hotspots pose a constant risk of the flames reigniting, especially with a change in weather conditions. Therefore, they have to be extinguished manually—a slow and extremely risky process that requires great precision and endurance from those involved.
At the site of the incident, along with professional firefighters, employees of the Rila National Park, as well as many volunteers, are working. Their joint work is key to the success of the operation. In the last two days, it has not been necessary to use air support, which is indicative of the intensity of the ground operations and the effectiveness of the teams.
Meanwhile, employees from Pirin National Park are set to join the fight against the fire. Their experience and knowledge are expected to further assist the efforts to fully extinguish the fire and provide the necessary resources to deal with new challenges that arise. Their arrival is a sign of solidarity between the institutions responsible for preserving Bulgaria's natural wealth.