Bulgaria is the EU member state most affected by forest fires since the beginning of 2024, the Representation of the European Commission in Sofia said on Facebook. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), over 38 000 hectares of Bulgarian land have already been scorched by fire this year. This is more than twice the area affected by forest fires in 2023. 

Each year, there are around 600 forest fires in Bulgaria. They affect around 10,000 hectares of land, resulting in economic losses of around EUR 2.5 million. The spread of the large forest fire on Bulgarian territory in Slavyanka mountain has been halted. There are still active outbreaks in Greece. For the first time in 19 days, there has been a reversal in the battle against the fire, said Commissioner Valentin Vasilev, director of the regional fire department.