site.btaUPDATED Air Quality in Sandanski, Two Southern Villages Deteriorates as Ilindentsi Wildfire Rages On, One Village Evacuated

Due to the fire in the area of the southern villages of Ilindentsi and Ploski, there has been a deterioration in air quality in the town of Sandanski and the villages of Lilyanovo and Polenitsa, Sandanski Municipality said late on Tuesday. The wildfire, which has been raging since July 25, led to the urgent evacuation of the residents of Ploski shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

Ploski Mayor Kiril  Katardzhiev said over 400 people live in the village. The evacuees are accommodated at the sports hall in Sandanski, Regional Governor Georgi Dinev told BTA. 

The residents of Lilyanovo are ready to evacuate as well. 

Sandanski Municipality advises residents to close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners that bring in outside air, drink more fluits, and avoid physical exertion. If necessary, they should wear a protective mask (FFP2/FFP3). Adults and children should stay indoors and, if necessary, call the emergency number 112. At present, there is no direct danger to the life and health of the population, but preventive measures are mandatory until the air quality returns to normal, the municipality said.  

Earlier on Tuesday, Sandanski Mayor Atanas Stoyanov told BTA that air pollution has been observed in the municipality since Monday, but no measurements have been taken. A letter has been sent to the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water with a request to provide equipment to take measurements and objectively test the air quality. Based on these measurements, we will take the appropriate measures, Stoyanov said.