site.btaDecision to Be Made on What Aviation Equipment Is Needed for Firefighting after Analyzing Options, Says Interior Minister

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov commented on Thursday to journalists at Plovdiv Airport on the purchase of additional aviation equipment for firefighting, explaining that a significant analysis will be conducted jointly with the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Transport, and other agencies, which will be ready in two to three weeks and will analyze the infrastructure, existing capabilities, and areas for improvement.

As an example, Mitov pointed out that Border Police pilots could be trained to fly higher-class helicopters and supplement their colleagues from the Ministry of Defence.

It is possible to purchase drones to be used for forest fires, Mitov said, adding that they can take pictures and even drop water at the beginning until the firefighters arrive. The Minister stressed that faster measures are needed at this point.

In response to the President's criticism, the Interior Minister said that the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection has responded immediately and promptly to every fire alarm. “At the peak, there were over 200 reports. To successfully extinguish most of them, you need trained people and equipment,” said the Minister, adding that in Pirin, due to the difficult terrain, there were more problems and the fire spread across many fronts.

The Minister met with the foreign crews of the aircraft assisting in extinguishing the fires in the country. He thanked all the teams from Hungary, the Czechia, Slovakia, France, and Sweden who joined the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as the Bulgarian firefighters and volunteers. The Swedish aircraft will remain here for a month throughout August to help if necessary, Mitov said.