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2 clusters · 14 sources · 3 days · First seen 25 days ago · Last updated 22 days ago

Wildfires in Bulgaria and Greece

Overview

Wildfires broke out across the Haskovo region in Bulgaria, affecting pine forests near the Makedonski neighborhood, the Kenana area, and the Koren training ground. In the Harmanli municipality, fires spread through vineyards and mixed forests between the villages of Kolarovo and Dositeevo. Efforts to contain these blazes involved firefighting teams, volunteers, and the use of bulldozers to create firebreaks.

The situation escalated as a large wildfire crossed the border from Bulgaria into the Soufli region of Evros, Greece, specifically affecting the Local Community of Roussa. The fire has been burning for at least two days, creating a massive front that is difficult to control due to strong winds that transform the fire from creeping to crown fires. In response, the Mayor of Ivaylovgrad declared a partial state of emergency.

Firefighting forces have been significantly reinforced to combat the blaze. Current operations include approximately 220 to 250 firefighters, 48 vehicles, and 12 specialized hiking teams from various EMODE units. Aerial support consists of 12 firefighting aircraft and five helicopters, with one helicopter serving as a coordination hub. Additionally, 30 foresters from the 1st EMODE are being airlifted via a C27 military aircraft from Elefsina to Alexandroupoli to join the effort.

The fire has burned between 1,000 and 1,500 stremmata of vegetation and deciduous forest near the villages of Gorno Lukovo and Dolno Lukovo. Deputy Chief of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General Anastasios Pappas, is on-site to coordinate the operation. While the blaze remains uncontrolled in some mountainous areas, authorities report that flames have not yet threatened residential settlements.

Entities

Anastasios Pappas · Fire Service · Haskovo Province · Regional Directorate Fire Safety and Population Protection · Fire Service of Greece

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] The wildfire originated in Bulgaria and crossed the border into Greece on Sunday afternoon.
[● 5 SOURCES] The firefighting effort includes 220 firefighters, 48 vehicles, 12 hiking teams, 12 aircraft, and five helicopters.
[● 5 SOURCES] Strong winds are pushing the fire westward, causing it to transition from creeping to crown fires.
[● 4 SOURCES] The fire is burning forest land in the Local Community of Roussa, Soufli.
[● 4 SOURCES] Thirty foresters from the 1st EMODE are being transported by air via a C27 aircraft to reinforce the front.
[● 4 SOURCES] Deputy Chief of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General Anastasios Pappas, has arrived to coordinate the operation.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The fire that crossed from Bulgaria is characterized as particularly dangerous.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Mayor of Ivaylovgrad declared a partial state of emergency in Bulgaria due to the fire.
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Bulgaria, the fire has burned between 1,000 and 1,500 stremma of low vegetation and deciduous forest.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Firefighting forces were mobilized by 12:00, approximately four hours before the fire crossed the border into Greece.

Timeline

22 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
Wildfire crosses Bulgaria-Greece border into Soufli region
A major wildfire originating in Bulgaria has crossed into Soufli, Greece, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation involving hundreds of personnel, aircraft, and a partial state of emergency in Bulgaria.
25 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
Wildfires break out across Haskovo region in Bulgaria
Multiple wildfires are affecting the Haskovo region in Bulgaria, including pine forests, vineyards, and training grounds, prompting extensive firefighting efforts.

Sources

athensmagazine.gr · capital.gr · dnews.gr · haskovo.info · iefimerida.gr · ieidiseis.gr · in.gr · kibrisgazetesi.com · mononews.gr · newsbomb.gr · petel.bg · sondakikakibris.com · tanea.gr · thenewspaper.gr

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history