"Travellers crossing the sub-Balkan valley in southern Bulgaria will see that the coniferous forests are drying up. So far we have had similar problems with white pine - man-made plantations from 60-70 years ago that for ecological, political and other reasons have not been replaced with native vegetation. Now the already declining trees, planted in areas unsuitable for them, are being attacked by fungi which are destroying them and creating a huge risk of forest fires because of the dry wood. We are talking about thousands of acres. When the seasonal rains are over and the places dry up, a small spark will be enough to start a fire that will go all the way to the top of the mountain".

The most dangerous areas are those coniferous forests where there are bushes that form the so-called "undergrowth". If a fire reaches the forest as a ground fire, these shrubs will ignite and then carry the fire up to the crowns. And crown fires are very dangerous because they spread with devastating speed and destroy everything on their way," says Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kostov. 

Now foresters and mayors are joining forces in a European pilot project to reduce the risk of forest fires. A detailed assessment will be made of the most vulnerable forests where action can be taken most quickly. 

The initiative follows devastating fires in Greece, Portugal and Spain over the past decade. Given the changing climate patterns, especially in southern Bulgaria, which mirror those of the aforementioned countries, we are included in this pilot project, we learn from Assoc. Prof. Kostov. 

Obviously, the massive bush encroachment in these forests is a problem and the question is how to deal with these bushes!

"This undergrowth can be cleared mechanically, but it is very expensive because it has to be done by hand, and if it is left on the ground it has no effect, in fact it becomes more dangerous. There is another option that we are experimenting with, which we hope will have a positive effect. This is goat grazing, a forgotten practice from the past that is even officially banned by law. But we have obtained permission to set up an experimental area. It has been enclosed with electric fencing. The plan is to use the goats to clear the forest of undergrowth. So far the goats are doing a great job," says Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kostov.

"Thank goodness we found two very receptive goatherds who were very enthusiastic. But in general we have a huge problem with providing adequate grazing, so I hope that maybe there will be a change in the regulations. The implementation of the project will depend on finding funding and on the authorities understanding the need for such prevention. Because prevention is much cheaper than extinguishing fires and restoring ecosystems" - concludes Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kostov.

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