Forest fire in Topolovgrad: State of emergency, 2500 decares affected

HASKOVO – A partial state of emergency was declared Friday evening in the Municipality of Topolovgrad after a large fire broke out and began to spread rapidly in the southeastern part of the country. The initial alarm was reported by the press service of the Regional Administration in Haskovo. The fire, whose front is unfolding between the villages of Filipovo and Varnik, has already crossed administrative boundaries and has spread to the territory of the neighboring Municipality of Svilengrad.

The situation remains extremely dynamic, and the teams are in a continuous battle with the blaze. According to the latest data provided by the press service, the affected area has already reached an impressive 2500 decares. Strong winds and dry vegetation are complicating the containment of the fire lines.

In a conversation with the Bulgarian News Agency, the director of the Regional Directorate of "Fire Safety and Population Protection" in Haskovo, Mitko Chakalov, revealed details about the damage.

"Dry grasses, bushes, and broad-leaved plantations from the forest fund are burning"

A massive operation to extinguish the fire is underway

Eleven fire engines, supported by one bulldozer, have been deployed on the ground to tackle the blaze. The professional teams of "Fire Safety and Population Protection" have been joined by representatives of the hunting and fishing association, as well as volunteers, united by the common goal of limiting the spread of the flames.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, there is currently no direct danger to populated areas. At noon today, the active fronts of the fire were localized between the Topolovgrad village of Filipovo and the Svilengrad villages of Sladun and Matochina. Currently, the efforts of the teams are concentrated in the area between the villages of Filipovtsi and Sladun, where the majority of the forces are located.

Mitko Chakalov also commented on the possible cause of the fire.

"For the moment, it is presumed that the fire started from a short circuit on a power line"

The ongoing state of emergency is a sign of the extreme danger posed by forest fires in hot and dry weather conditions. The teams will continue to work around the clock to prevent the further expansion of the fire and to protect the residents and nature in the region.