More than 80 firefighters, forestry workers and Rila Nature Park staff have been fighting to put out two fires covering some 50 hectares of land. One of the fires in the higher reaches of the mountain has been localized. The other fire is under control and its spread has been checked, Stefan Tahtadzhiiski, head of the fire department in the town of Rila told the Bulgarian National Radio.

An Air Force helicopter was brought in to help the efforts to extinguish the fire, but conditions in the area continue extremely difficult, that is why no volunteers are allowed to take part. A spokesperson for the Southwestern State Enterprise stated that the fires are spreading towards unwooded areas. The firefighters say that the fire is not a danger to Rila Monastery because it is far from the regions where the fires are raging.