The fire in the Rila Monastery Nature Park, which has been raging in the high part of the mountain for nearly a week, has been localized from several sides.
The fire is spreading from its southeastern front and has already covered over 900 acres of forest, grass and bushes. There is no danger to nearby settlements. The firefighters' fight today will be aimed at completely controlling the fire. 12 people will be on the ground, the head of the fire department told BNT. Inspector Stefan Takhtadzhiyski - Head of the RSPBZN-Rila:
"It can be said that the fire is under control, because it was stopped from all sides, only in the southeastern part there remains one hard-to-reach place, where we will send additional forces - firefighters, employees of the nature park and from the Rila Holy Monastery. Hopefully the weather will help - so far there has been little rain"
Flying equipment is no longer needed - it helped in the first days, when the fire was at its peak. The fire has now entered the forest, so there will be no point in helicopters. There is no danger to people or to cottage areas, assured the chief. Inspector Takhtadzhiyski.
The version that the fire was started by lightning has been confirmed, said Eng. Dimitar Grigorov, director of the "Rila Monastery" Nature Park:
"In recent years, the causes of the fires are precisely these. So far, we have no fires caused by humans, everything is the work of natural forces".
The fire has covered pasture lands - tall grasses and bushes - rose hips. Several trees were damaged, but no plant species were affected. No animals were injured - the area is inhabited by wild goats, bears and capercaillies.