Fiery Disaster in Burgas Region: Helicopters Join the Fight Against Massive Fire

A large-scale fire is raging in the Burgas region, already engulfing several settlements in the Sungurlare municipality. The situation is extremely serious, with significant forces and resources mobilized to combat the fiery disaster, including military helicopters.

According to information from the Ministry of Defense, two "Cougar" helicopters from the 24th Air Base in Krumovo have joined the firefighting operation. The first helicopter took off at 13:24, and the second at 15:45 today. The crews of the aircraft are carrying out water bombings over the affected areas, coordinating their actions with the ground teams of the General Directorate of "Fire Safety and Civil Protection".

The scale of the disaster has forced local authorities to take urgent measures. The mayor of Sungurlare municipality, Dimitar Gavazov, has issued an order declaring a state of emergency in five settlements - the town of Sungurlare and the villages of Beronovo, Skala, Slavyantsi, as well as the settlement of Balabanchevo. The state of emergency has been declared for an indefinite period, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The fire has engulfed vast territories, including forests, agricultural lands, and vineyards. It is particularly concerning that the fire has spread between two industrial sites. There is a real danger that the flames could reach the "Vinex Slavyantsi" factory. According to information from firefighters on site, the other factory - "Chateau Zelanos" - probably cannot be saved from the fiery disaster.

Despite the efforts of nine firefighting teams and numerous volunteers, the situation remains critical. An additional helicopter is expected to arrive to support efforts to contain the fire.

As a preventive measure, forty people have been evacuated from the danger zone and housed in the home for the elderly with disabilities in the village of Slavyantsi. Although there is currently no direct danger to the residents of Slavyantsi, the situation is described as dynamic and is being constantly monitored by the crisis headquarters convened by Mayor Gavazov.

The fire started yesterday from the village of Balabanchevo and spread quickly, passing through the villages of Beronovo and Skala, as well as through the town of Sungurlare, before reaching the Slavyantsi area. The development of the situation is being closely monitored by local authorities, with decisions being made according to changes in the conditions and wind direction.

This disaster underscores the importance of rapid response and coordination between different services in such emergencies, as well as the need for adequate preparation and resources to deal with forest fires, especially in the context of global warming and the increasing frequency of such incidents.