Wildfires devastate Bulgarian towns, forcing people to evacuate their homes

Fierce wildfires are tearing through Bulgaria, burning homes, threatening villages, and forcing people to evacuate the area, as firefighters face dangerous conditions across the country.

Firefighters are battling wildfires at nearly 100 locations across Bulgaria, as the country grapples with a severe and fast-moving crisis. Blazes fuelled by high winds and scorching heat have forced people to flee their destroyed homes in several regions.

One of the most dangerous fires is spreading across thousands of acres at the foot of the Pirin Mountain in the southwest, according to Bulgarian National Radio. In the nearby town of Simitli, flames engulfed residential areas, advancing toward Maleshevo Mountain.

More than 200 firefighters were deployed to the region but were later withdrawn due to life-threatening wind conditions. Authorities say they are now relying on aerial firefighting support expected from other European Union nations.

In western Bulgaria, a fire that ignited on Saturday crossed into Serbia on Sunday, nearly wiping out the village of Rani Lug. Emergency crews described the scene as catastrophic.

"It's a merciless tragedy," said Zvezdelin Vlaykov, a volunteer responder.

The Interior Ministry has declared the wildfire situation “dynamic and severe.” People have been evacuated from three villages so far.

Another major blaze erupted Sunday afternoon in the southeastern village of Kozarevo in Yambol province, destroying several homes, BNR reported.

The region is suffering under extreme heat, with southeast Europe becoming what scientists now call a "wildfire hotspot."

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