site.btaOver 90% of Forest Fires in Bulgaria Are Result of Human Activity, WWF Analysis Shows

The main causes of forest fires in Bulgaria are related to human activity. Over 90% of fires occurred after deliberate human intervention or due to negligence, indicates an analysis by the WWF environmental organization. Only in 2-4% of cases is the cause of the fire natural, most often it is a lightning strike, said the WWF Bulgaria press centre.

The study covers the period from 2010 to 2024 and is based on official information from institutions such as the Executive Forests Agency, the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection, the Ministry of Environment and Water, etc. Burning stubble and plant residues, throwing cigarette butts, careless handling of open fire, technical malfunctions in forestry and agricultural equipment and deliberate arson are among the causes of most fires.

Over the past 15 years, over 7,000 forest fires have been registered in Bulgaria, covering over 100,000 hectares of territory, the data show. In 2024 alone, nearly 600 fires broke out in the country, with the Rhodope Mountains, Strandzha, Pirin and Sakar regions being particularly affected. The WWF noted that the financial resources needed to deal with the damage from them exceed the funds from the previous seven years. A total of 80% of all forest fires occur outside forest areas and subsequently transfer to them, the analysis also shows.

“A large part of the fires in the plains and hills of Bulgaria are known to have started in agricultural areas or pastures when stubble, dry grass or other plant residues were burned, and then spread to neighboring forest areas,” the organization commented. Loss of ecosystem, biodiversity, and tourism sites are among the damages caused by forest fires.

“Fires are becoming more intense, difficult to control and increasingly enter protected areas,” said Neli Doncheva, head of the WWF Forests programme. Traditionally, the fire season has two peaks, spring and summer. However, recently there has been a deviation from the norm. “We are also witnessing a large number of fires in late autumn and even in the winter months,” the expert noted.

“With the increasing climate challenges, forest fires in Bulgaria will become an even more serious threat if urgent measures are not taken for prevention, control and engagement of all stakeholders,” warned Dobromir Dobrinov, an expert on environmental legislation at WWF.

“In recent days, the number of fires that occur every day has remained at between 150 and 200, which requires us to be vigilant,”  said Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, head of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection, over the weekend. The focus in recent days has been on the southern part of Bulgaria, starting from Burgas and reaching Blagoevgrad, these are the most vulnerable areas, he noted.