Bulgarian Armed Forces in the Fight Against Forest Fires in the Country

The military forces of Bulgaria continue to play a key role in fighting forest fires currently raging in various parts of the country. According to the latest information from the Ministry of Defense, significant resources from the Land Forces and Air Force have been mobilized to deal with fires in the Pirin Mountains and in Sungurlare municipality.

In Sungurlare municipality, the situation remains critical. There, 30 servicemen from the 42nd Mechanized Battalion - Yambol, part of the 2nd Tundzha Mechanized Brigade, have been deployed on the ground. They are working with eight specialized machines under the leadership of Senior Lieutenant Vasil Todorov. Their efforts are focused on the areas around the villages of Slavyantsi and Skala. Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Ivanov, commander of the battalion, personally oversees operations on site.

Meanwhile, in the Pirin Mountains, 20 servicemen from the 3rd Mechanized Battalion of the 3rd Brigade Command, Blagoevgrad, continue their efforts to control the fire. They are using four units of equipment and working under the command of Lieutenant Yordan Stoychev. Their strategy includes creating clearings in the high parts of the mountain to limit the spread of fire and protect the territory of "Pirin" National Park. Colonel Kiril Spanevikov, commander of the 3rd Brigade Command, is on site to coordinate firefighting actions.

Yesterday, the situation in Sungurlare municipality was particularly severe, with the fire engulfing thousands of acres of forest and vineyards. Two planes and one helicopter were used to combat the fiery element.

In addition, in Sandanski municipality, above the village of Ploski, two active hotspots continue to burn. Ivan Rizov, director of the State Forestry (SF)-Strumyani, reported to BTA that over 100 people are currently fighting the fire in this area.

These large-scale efforts underscore the seriousness of the situation and demonstrate the determination of Bulgarian authorities to deal with fires that threaten both natural resources and populated areas. The Ministry of Defense continues to monitor the situation closely and is ready to provide additional resources if necessary.