EditWildfires rage across Bulgaria, destroying forests and homes
The President criticised the government for what he said was his incapacity to prepare for emergencies
Firefighters battled wildfires at nearly 100 locations across Bulgaria on Sunday, with houses burned and residents evacuated, local media reported.
A fire at the foot of the Pirin mountain in southwestern Bulgaria was spreading across thousands of acres of forest, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported.
More than 200 firefighters sent to the area on Saturday were pulled out because high winds were putting their lives in danger, authorities said, adding they expected air support from other EU countries.
In western Bulgaria, a fire which broke out on Saturday and quickly spread across the border into Serbia on Sunday along the Miloslavska mountain range, almost burned the village Rani Lug to the ground, Nova television reported.
“It’s a merciless tragedy,” emergency volunteer Zvezdelin Vlaykov said as huge clouds of smoke rose over the hills. “In all my years of firefighting, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Authorities said three villages had been evacuated and the fire had caused significant damage.
In a statement, the Interior Ministry described Bulgaria’s wildfire situation as “dynamic and severe”.
On Sunday afternoon, a large fire broke out in the village of Kozarevo in the southeastern province of Yambol, burning several houses, BNR reported.
Countries in southeast Europe have experienced record temperatures over the past week, with many located in an area dubbed “a wildfire hotspot” by scientists.
The President slams the authorities
In his usual style, Bulgarian President strongly criticised the government for his incapacity to deal with the wildfires. Radev has sharpened his rhetoric against the political status quo, as analysts expect that he will launch his own political project when his second term expires in January 2027.
The head of state recalled that last year the National Assembly obliged the Council of Ministers to purchase specialised equipment for aerial firefighting. “Since then, we have only seen incompetence and neglect,” said Radev. According to him, fires are becoming more frequent and more devastating every year, while Bulgaria lacks its own aerial firefighting capabilities.
Radev pointed out that Bulgaria is about to spend billions on armaments, including by contracting loans. “Naturally, security is an absolute priority in our insecure world, but the funds needed for aerial firefighting and basic equipment for rescue vehicles are insignificant compared to the huge expenses that Bulgaria will incur”, the president said.
Radev made these comments to journalists at Plovdiv Airport, where he spoke with the crew of a Hungarian helicopter, which arrived to join the fight against the raging fires in the country. Three more fire-fighting helicopters were expected from three other EU countries.
With Reuters and BGNES.
Caption: Volunteers help fighting wildfires, handout photo, Ministry of the Interior.
Updated: July 28, 2025 - 06:15
