site.btaWildfire near Kostinbrod Comes under Control after Partial State of Emergency Is Declared
A wildfire that broke out near the villages of Opitsvet, Bezden, and Bogyovtsi in the western municipality of Kostinbrod is now largely under control, local authorities confirmed Tuesday evening.
Kostinbrod Municipality declared a partial state of emergency on Monday due to the fast-moving wildfire, which is believed to have originated in the neighboring Slivnitsa municipality before spreading rapidly.
"The situation is stabilizing. While there are still some active fronts, none pose a critical threat at this point," said Silvia Arnautska, the Governor of Sofia Region, speaking to BTA from the scene. She added that volunteer firefighters remain on site. She was adamant that there is no danger to a nearby recovery center for children with oncologic diseases.
Ten fire crews, including members of the local volunteer unit Phoenix, are continuing efforts to extinguish isolated flames. The Bulgarian Red Cross has provided water and support to those involved in the firefighting operation.
High winds reignited three sections of the fireline late Monday afternoon, with one flare-up near a local pumping station quickly contained, said Chief Commissioner Alexander Djartov, head of the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate. Firefighting teams with all-terrain vehicles were dispatched to the remaining two areas, which are harder to access.
Deputy Interior Minister Toni Todorov said the situation is under control and praised the rapid response teams for their preparedness. “We urge the public to be extremely cautious during these hot summer days,” he said, noting that around 95% of wildfires in Bulgaria are caused by human negligence.
Kostinbrod Deputy Mayor Alexander Nenov, who also leads the Phoenix volunteer unit, confirmed there is no immediate threat to residents. A previously closed road between Belidie Han and the village of Ponor has since been reopened.
/NF/
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