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Partial state of emergency in Chepelare municipality remains in force

The fires in Bulgaria's Rhodope Mountain destroy century-old forest (update)

| updated on 8/30/23 1:32 PM
Photo: BGNES

The declared partial state of emergency remains in force in the municipality of Chepelare in the Rhodope Mountains due to the large fire near the village of Hvoina. During the night, teams of the fire department were on duty at the site, and the volunteers who want to help with the extinguishing of the flames gathered this morning in the town.

The fire is now partially contained, but there are still isolated outbreaks and in places it continues to grow, and has now destroyed a more than 100-year old pine forest. According to information of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, for a third day, more than 100 forestry workers, firefighters and volunteers have been trying to extinguish the fire still raging above Hvoyna village. More than 100 hectares have been engulfed by the flames, there are separate outbreaks which have not been localized. The heavy machinery which is providing fire engines access to terrains that are difficult of access is still in use, clearings are being cut to stop the spread of the fire. Six teams of firefighters worked through the night to stop the spread of the fire.

Today, helicopters are again expected to be involved in the firefighting operation.



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