Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria ranks second in Europe when it comes to forest fires

Photo: BTA

Bulgaria is in second place after Cyprus in the ranking of forest fires in Europe in 2024, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.

About 600 forest fires break out in this country every year, affecting nearly 10,000 hectares of land and causing economic losses of about 2.5 million euros. This year will probably be the worst for the Bulgarian forest since the beginning of the new century.

The main causes of forest fires are negligence and arson. In addition, many years of harmful practices in agriculture and electricity distribution have persisted to this day.

"The data highlight the urgent need for comprehensive fire prevention strategies and sustainable forest management to mitigate the ecological challenge," commented Engineer Tihomir Tomanov, Executive Director of the Association of Municipal Forests. According to him, the passive behavior of the authorities and institutions responsible for fighting this phenomenon is also added as a reason for the huge number of forest fires.

"The only investments that are made in this direction are through the European programs for rural areas and for the environment," engineer Tihomir Tomanov adds. According to him, half of the Bulgarian forests fall into the high-risk category for fires.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warm and sunny autumn day

On Thursday lows will be between 10 and 15°C, in Sofia 10°C. Morning fog will form in the valleys where temperatures will be slightly lower.  Highs will be between 24 and 29°C, up to 24°C in the capital. During the day it will be mostly sunny all over..

published on 10/9/24 7:05 PM

Bulgaria to participate in European Commission campaigns for voluntary relocation of third-country nationals

The caretaker cabinet approved Bulgaria's participation in European Commission campaigns for the voluntary relocation of third-country nationals seeking or having received international protection from countries under migration pressure.  According..

published on 10/9/24 5:45 PM

President Radev calls for action against vote buying

President Rumen Radev called for decisive action against vote-buying and its instigators during a meeting with representatives of the institutions responsible for conducting the elections. Caretaker Minister of Interior Atanas Ilkov, caretaker..

published on 10/9/24 5:14 PM