Partial Disaster Status Declared in Ivaylovgrad After Wildfire Crosses Border into Greece
A fast-moving wildfire in the Haskovo region has forced authorities to declare a partial state of emergency in the Ivaylovgrad municipality after scorching between 1,000 and 1,500 decares of dry grass, shrubs, and deciduous forest near the village of Gorno Lukovo. The blaze, fueled by strong and shifting winds across rugged terrain, crossed the international border and entered neighboring Greece, according to Haskovo Regional Governor Todor Ivanov, as reported by bTV Новините.
The outbreak is part of a cluster of fires that erupted across the Haskovo region, stretching emergency response teams to their limits. While air support and ground crews battle the flames in the southeast, separate incidents have damaged residential yards, threatened pine forests near urban areas, and scorched land near a military training ground.
Thirteen Fire Crews and a Cougar Helicopter Deployed to Gorno Lukovo
Thirteen firefighting teams from Ivaylovgrad, Любимец (Lyubimets), and Харманли (Harmanli), alongside the Ivaylovgrad municipal volunteer formation, are operating on the ground against the Gorno Lukovo fire. Ivaylovgrad Mayor Diana Ovcharova declared the partial state of emergency as the flames advanced through dense vegetation.
A military Cougar helicopter took off from the Krumovo air base at 4:47 p.m. to conduct water drops in coordination with the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Defense stated. A bulldozer has also been deployed to cut firebreaks, while ten Greek firefighting units are engaged on the other side of the border due to the fire spreading into a coniferous forest, Ivanov told BTA, as cited by bTV Новините.
Pine Forest Threat and Residential Yard Fires in Haskovo
Closer to Haskovo, a pine forest above the Makedonski residential district caught fire, sending a thick column of smoke visible for kilometers and drawing residents to their balconies. Firefighters entered the burning woods and focused their efforts on stopping flames from reaching the tree crowns, using water packs and Beaters alongside neighborhood volunteers. It is suspected that the fire started from picnic gazebos due to human carelessness.
Earlier in the day in the Kenana area, an elderly man was injured while trying to extinguish a fire that spread from his yard to neighbors, burning several yards and a shed. Another fire broke out on the grounds surrounding the Koren military polygon following a morning military exercise, charring several hundred decares of bushes and forest before being localized around 3:00 p.m.
Wildfire Triggers Partial State of Emergency in Ivaylovgrad
What caused the partial state of emergency in Ivaylovgrad?
Ivaylovgrad Mayor Diana Ovcharova declared the partial state of emergency after a wildfire in the lands of Gorno Lukovo rapidly expanded to consume between 1,000 and 1,500 decares of dry grass, shrubs, and forest, ultimately crossing the border into Greece.
Which air units are assisting ground crews in the Haskovo region?
A Cougar helicopter dispatched from the Krumovo air base by the Ministry of Defense is providing aerial firefighting support to assist the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection teams on the ground.
Are nearby residential areas currently in danger from the fires?
Regional authorities report that despite the dynamic situation and strong winds, there is no immediate danger to populated areas near the Ivaylovgrad fires, and quick intervention by fire crews prevented structural damage in the Haskovo Makedonski district incident.
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