site.btaMajor Power Line Supplying Greece Shut Down Due to Wildfire near Ilindentsi, SW Bulgaria

A 400-kV power line that passes through the area of the village of Ilindentsi and also supplies electricity to Greece has been shut down for several hours due to a raging wildfire, Strumyani Municipality Mayor Emil Iliev told BTA on Saturday afternoon. "You know this is critical infrastructure. For us, the most important thing is to save what we can so there’s no risk to people," he added.

By Saturday afternoon, eight fire engines had arrived at the scene, with firefighters from Sandanski and Petrich, more than 20 personnel from the Strumyani Forestry Department and volunteer teams from the municipalities of Sandanski, Petrich, Strumyani, and Blagoevgrad. Two heavy-duty machines were cutting firebreaks.

Mayor Iliev said: "As of now, I believe the situation is somewhat under control. The Air Force helicopter is also here. There is no immediate danger to people’s health or property. The Vrabcha weekend house zone, located above the fire, is currently safe. Firebreaks have been made before it to help contain the blaze."

Five people were evacuated from the weekend house zone earlier, the mayor told BTA. The alert about the fire in the area of Ilindentsi, Strumyani Municipality, was received on Friday night at around 8:44 p.m. By midnight, due to strong winds, the fire had spread significantly and has so far affected approximately 40 hectares of coniferous forest, dry grass and shrubs. The blaze is in a rugged and hard-to-reach area.

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Commissioner Daniel Dimitrov, Director of the Blagoevgrad Regional Police Directorate, announced that contingency plans are in place for potential evacuations. He noted that constant communication is being maintained with fire safety officials and local authorities.