Forest Fires Burning in Variouos Parts of Bulgaria

Kyustendil, Southwest Bulgaria, July 24 (BTA) - Forest fires
have been raging for a few days in various parts of the country.
 There is a fire in the alpine parts of Rila Mountain, said the
spokesperson of the Kyustendil Regional Police Directorate Katya
 Tabachka. She noted that the fire has engulfed three hectares
of dry grass and bushes in the region of Mount Vurla, located
five kilometres northeast of the Rila Monastery. Firefighters
and forest rangers are on the scene.

The fire was reported at 11:30 pm on Thursday evening and the
firefighter teams were dispatched Friday morning. The Defence
Ministry reported that a Mi-17 helicopter has taken off from the
 Kroumovo Air Base and headed towards the fire.

Four fires, caused by negligence, have burned in the
northeastern region of Turgovishte. The fire started in an area
covered with dry grass and bushes. Firefighters have managed to
contain it, the Turgovishte Regional Directorate of the Interior
 Ministry reported. The fires were near the villages of Prolaz,
Strazha, Popovo and Antonovo.

The fire in the region of Harmanli (South-central Bulgaria) has
been contained, said the Haskovo Fire Safety and Civil
Protection Directorate. It erupted on Wednesday near the village
 of Dripchevo and caused damage to an area close to 350 ha, 15
of which are decidious forest. Harmanli Municipality declared a
state of emergency on Thursday due to the fire's fast spreading.