site.btaArmy, Navy, Air Force Are on Standby, Ready to Extinguish Wildfires

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told a briefing at the Council of Ministers here on Wednesday that all modules of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been put on standby to extinguish wildfires.

The Minister is in direct communication with municipal mayors, regional governors, and the Ministry of the Interior. Helicopters are on standby ready to fight fires. Zapryanov rejected claims that Bulgarian armed forces are not actively involved in extinguishing the fires. He reported that the procedure for calling in army modules has been simplified as much as possible. All it takes is a call from a mayor, regional governor, or the Fire Safety and Civil Protection General Directorate for the Army or the Air Force to act. He emphasized that the necessary documentation is prepared afterwards, because time is of the essence when extinguishing a fire.

A total of five helicopters are extinguishing the fires – one from Bulgaria and the other four provided by other countries, the Minister said. The Air Force has established an organization for receiving aircraft from other countries and providing logistical support for them.

Commenting on the fire ranging near the village of Strumyani, Southwestern Bulgaria, Zapryanov said that mobile refuelling vehicles have been deployed in the area to refuel the helicopters close to the fire, so that they do not have to fly back to their bases for refuelling.

Another helicopter is undergoing repairs and, once they are over, will join the firefighting efforts. There are plans to increase funding for the preparation of more helicopters in 2026, because experience has shown that helicopters are the most accurate option in mountainous conditions.