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Lightning ignites new forest fire in Bulgaria's Rila Mountain

Photo: BNT

A new large fire has broken out in Rila Mountain, BTA reported, citing the police in the town of Kyustendil. The fire is located at an altitude of about 2,200 m in the area above the Iliina River, in the area where the Rila Monastery is located, but is far from it. The fire started at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday and was caused by lightning. 
45 firefighters are extinguishing the fire in the area by hand. Firefighting teams from Sofia and two helicopters from the airport in Plovdiv are to join them.

Nearly 1,300 hectares have already been affected by the fire in Sakar Mountain. Dozens of firefighters are fighting the fire. Due to the rugged terrain, extinguishing the fire is extremely difficult and is being carried out mainly by hand. The partial state of emergency in the area remains in force.



Edited by Ivo Ivanov
English: R. Petkova



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