site.btaNikolovo Fire Affects Pine Forest and Maize Crops; Firebreaks Cut to Protect Military Plant

More than five hectares of pine forest are burning near the village of Nikolovo, in the northern Ruse Region, Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov reported at noon on Sunday.

He explained that the fire has also affected maize crops on an area about the same size.

The fire was reported shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. All available firefighting teams have been dispatched to the site.

So far, there have been no injuries, and all people in the vicinity have been evacuated. However, strong winds are making conditions more difficult.

Draganov noted that firebreaks have been cut on the side of the Dunarit military plant to prevent the flames from reaching it.

Local officials, volunteers from Ruse, and members of the police and fire services are present at the scene. For now, the situation is under control — the fire has been contained, Draganov said. He added that, if needed, the regional disaster response plan could be activated immediately.

A separate fire is also burning at the outskirts of Ruse, in the direction of Razgrad, a BTA reporter observed around noon on Sunday.