Wildfire in Harmanli Municipality Contained

A large-scale wildfire raging since Saturday in Harmanli Municipality, in southern Bulgaria, has been contained but not extinguished, public radio broadcaster BNR has reported.

The state of emergency declared in the municipality over the blaze remained in force, BNR reported on Monday.

The blaze in Sakar Mountain located next to the border with Turkey ehgulfed over 5,000 hectares of vegetation, including 500ha of almond trees and vineyards, sunflower fields and pastures.

Eight firefighting teams battled the flames overnight in a three-kilometre section between the villages of Izvorovo and Dripchevo to prevent the fire from spreading.

There is no danger to the people living in the area, BNR said citing the chief of the firefighting service in Haskovo Region in which Harmanli is located.

The reason for the blaze remains unknown. A 27-year old man has been detained on suspicion of causing the fire while clearing vegetation from a pasture with a tractor.

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