Fire Department with a new strategy: 6 helicopters and drones against fires in 2026

Preparation for the fire season

This year, the Air Force (AF) is significantly strengthening its response capacity for fires, providing six helicopters ready for action. The Director of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, emphasized that this is an increase compared to last year, when four were available.

Prevention is key. Clearing dry vegetation around properties and along railway lines is mandatory in order to stop fires in their infancy.

Technological progress and prevention

• Modern equipment: The Fire Department is acquiring 84 drones equipped with thermal cameras to detect smoldering fires.
• Railway safety: Special attention is being paid to the technical condition of train braking systems, after defective brakes caused large-scale fires near the Karlovo region.
• Statistics: Thanks to preventive measures, the number of large fires (over 300 decares) has decreased significantly compared to previous periods.

Dzhartov reminded that maintaining clear easements outside populated areas is critically important for preventing the spread of fire between nature and people's homes.