Rain Offers Hope as Pirin Blaze Continues

Evacuations Continue Amidst International Aerial Support

Torrential downpours have finally arrived in Pirin, sparking optimism that the prolonged precipitation will aid the ongoing battle against a significant wildfire in Strumyani Municipality. Firefighters, volunteers, and forest officials have been engaged in a strenuous fight against the escalating flames, aided by an international fleet of aerial resources.

Intensified Firefighting Efforts

The fire, which raged through the night, continued to spread despite the relentless efforts to contain it. Six helicopters from Bulgaria, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, along with two Swedish aircraft that joined the operation yesterday, are expected to resume their critical roles today. Residents of the village of Krupnik were evacuated, with limited access granted yesterday for them to attend to their livestock. Authorities anticipate a decision today regarding the possibility of residents returning to their homes.

“We still cannot say what the area is affected. Inventory of the affected units, possibly cutting down the fully burned timber and restoration activities afterwards.”

—Ivan Rizov, Director of TP “DGS-Stubyani”

Currently, over 45 employees from a Southwestern enterprise and approximately 20 from the Regional Directorate of Forests in Blagoevgrad are on the ground. Reinforcements from Pirin National Park are also anticipated. Director **Ivan Rizov** of TP “DGS-Stubyani” stated that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, with plans for inventorying affected areas and subsequent restoration work.

The task of restoring the forest is monumental, with **Rizov** emphasizing the long-term commitment required. He adamantly stated, “It will take a minimum of 50 years to restore the forest situation as it was before the fire.” This highlights the devastating impact of the blaze on the region’s natural landscape.

Community Impact and Support

The Mayor of Sandanski Municipality, **Atanas Stoyanov**, acknowledged the understanding shown by the residents of Krupnik regarding the evacuation order. He underscored the necessity of the preventive measure for the safety and well-being of the community and the preservation of their homes and property.

“Most of them are with their relatives and loved ones, a small part of them are housed in hotels in the town Sandanski has a more serious amount of rain, God forbid, to come to here and the headquarters to make a decision as soon as possible, God forbid, to soon be canceled,” **Stoyanov** said.

The importance of such evacuations is underscored by the fact that wildfires can spread rapidly. For instance, the 2023 Canadian wildfire season saw over 18 million hectares burned, displacing tens of thousands of people, demonstrating the critical need for proactive safety measures during such events (Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, accessed 2024).

The arrival of rain is a crucial development, offering a much-needed respite and a potential turning point in the fight against this destructive wildfire. The collective efforts of national and international teams remain focused on bringing the situation under control and safeguarding the affected communities.