site.btaInterior Minister Mitov: 330 Arson Cases Recorded; Swedish and US Aircraft Assist

There were over 1,000 fires this week, with two more problematic near Sungurlare and in Pirin, Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov said on Tuesday.

He spoke after a meeting of the operational headquarters on bringing the fires under control across the country.

He said the greatest effort was directed to extinguishing the Sungurlare blaze, with Swedish aircraft and helicopters at the scene, including one US helicopter from the Novo Selo base.

Mitov noted that more than 330 arson and negligent fire-setting incidents were recorded, roughly half and half by type. Some perpetrators of deliberate fires were identified.

He said the Interior Ministry does not order evacuations without serious grounds. Evacuations were ordered only in the village of Ploski and now in the village of Skala.

He said contracts have been signed and a public procurement has been completed for new firefighting equipment. He added that the authorities are discussing the most effective and rational way to expand aerial firefighting capacity. The Ministry of Defence has enough Cougar helicopters which, if repaired, would all be able to take part in firefighting. New crews can be trained within three to four months, Mitov said.

Asked whether a decision had been taken on whether and what firefighting aircraft to buy, Mitov said he and Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov would shortly submit proposals on the most rational way to use existing infrastructure and capabilities. “It is important that we use them to the maximum and have all 12 helicopters operational. After that, we can consider purchasing new aircraft and what they should be,” Mitov said.

He added that European civil protection assets are helping, but today’s fires are not like those in the past, and they spread much faster.