Fires in Yambol and Sliven regions are contained – Bulgarian Deputy Interior Minister Toni Todorov

The wildfires in Yambol and Sliven regions have been contained, said Deputy Minister of Interior Toni Todorov during a news briefing on Thursday.Regarding the fire in the Strumyani area, he said that heavy rain is falling in some parts of the area, lighter rain in others, and some parts are dry, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) . Firefighters are taking advantage of the rainfall wherever possible.

Of aerial firefighting equipment, Todorov said that it is on standby, waiting for weather conditions to allow it to take off. He added that yesterday, air support significantly aided firefighting efforts. He also noted that no additional volunteers are needed on Thursday.

At 8.30 am, the evacuation order for the village of Ploski was lifted, and residents can now return to their homes, said Zahari Vaskov, Director of the General Directorate National Police. He added that yesterday, a plan was put in place to allow residents to gradually return home and assess their needs.

There is currently no risk of evacuation in the village of Lilyanovo either. Personnel from the Gendarmerie Directorate and the General Directorate National Police have been sent there to assist.

At present, there are no other major fires threatening people. The only more dangerous one remains the fire near Strumyani, but no populated areas or residents are currently at risk, explained Commissioner Kaloyan Donchev, head of the operational task force.

The wildfires in Yambol and Sliven regions have been contained, said Deputy Minister of Interior Toni Todorov during a news briefing on Thursday.

Regarding the fire in the Strumyani area, he said that heavy rain is falling in some parts of the area, lighter rain in others, and some parts are dry. Firefighters are taking advantage of the rainfall wherever possible.

Of aerial firefighting equipment, Todorov said that it is on standby, waiting for weather conditions to allow it to take off. He added that yesterday, air support significantly aided firefighting efforts. He also noted that no additional volunteers are needed on Thursday..

At 8.30 am, the evacuation order for the village of Ploski was lifted, and residents can now return to their homes, said Zahari Vaskov, Director of the General Directorate National Police. He added that yesterday, a plan was put in place to allow residents to gradually return home and assess their needs.

There is currently no risk of evacuation in the village of Lilyanovo either. Personnel from the Gendarmerie Directorate and the General Directorate National Police have been sent there to assist.

At present, there are no other major fires threatening people. The only more dangerous one remains the fire near Strumyani, but no populated areas or residents are currently at risk, explained Commissioner Kaloyan Donchev, head of the operational task force.