General Coordination Against Forest Fires

With the arrival of the summer season, three Bulgarian ministries – Interior, Defense, and Agriculture – are joining forces to ensure higher security and efficiency in firefighting. The action plan focuses on better prevention and the fastest possible response to crisis situations.

"When the fire danger index rises, fire department teams will be deployed in close proximity to high-risk areas," stated Minister of the Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev.

Key measures and technological solutions:

  • Surveillance drones: Use of unmanned aerial vehicles by the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection for early detection and localization of fires.
  • Army mobilization: The Ministry of Defense is preparing 22 units with about 400 personnel, as well as Cougar and Mi-17 helicopters and a Spartan aircraft equipped with the "Guardian" system.
  • Restrictions for farmers: Starting July 10, a ban on mowing during daylight hours is being introduced to prevent fires spreading from agricultural lands to forested areas.

The Minister of Agriculture emphasized that fire prevention measures in forests have largely been caught up, and forestry officials are deployed in the field. Inter-institutional cooperation is key to reducing damages this year.