In the height of summer, Bulgaria faces a serious challenge related to multiple fires engulfing various parts of the country. Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov held a briefing after a meeting of the operational headquarters created to deal with the crisis situation, and presented up-to-date information on the development of the fires and measures to control them.
According to Minister Mitov, over 1000 fires have been registered in the country over the past week, with two of them identified as particularly problematic. The most serious situation is in the area of Sungurlare town, Burgas region, where the fire continues to spread despite the intensified actions of firefighting teams. The second critical fire is located in the Pirin mountain, threatening valuable natural resources and ecosystems.
Minister Mitov emphasized that the greatest attention is being paid to the fire near Sungurlare, where significant resources have been mobilized to extinguish it. Swedish firefighting planes and helicopters are participating in the extinguishing efforts, demonstrating international cooperation in combating the fire. Additionally, an American helicopter from the military base in Novo Selo has been included, showing NATO allies' support in dealing with the crisis situation.
Particularly concerning is the information shared by the minister regarding the causes of the fires. According to the Ministry of Interior data, over 330 cases of arson have been identified, split roughly equally between intentional actions and those caused by negligence. This fact raises serious questions about the need for stricter prevention measures and criminal liability for those responsible.
Minister Mitov reported that some of the perpetrators of intentional fires have already been identified by law enforcement. This brings to the forefront the question of motives behind these criminal actions and the need for more effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The fire situation in Bulgaria remains dynamic and requires constant attention from authorities and citizens. The ongoing efforts to control the fiery element underscore the importance of coordinated actions between various institutions and international cooperation in combating natural disasters.