Drones join fight against summer wildfires near Turkish border

As Bulgaria enters the summer wildfire season, firefighters in the southeastern Yambol region will be supported by two drones acquired under an EU-funded project designed to improve wildfire detection and response in one of the country's most fire-prone areas.

While recent rainfall has reduced the immediate risk of wildfires, it has also spurred vegetation growth that could provide additional fuel during the hotter and drier months ahead.

The drones have already been delivered and local fire service personnel have completed training to operate them, Commissioner Ivan Dinev, director of the Regional Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate, told BTA.

The aircraft will enable faster assessment of fire situations, help track the movement of fire fronts and identify access routes to affected areas, reducing the need for time-consuming ground reconnaissance. They will also be deployed in search-and-rescue operations.

Yambol region, which borders Turkey and is home to nearly 110,000 people, declared states of emergency four times in 2025 because of major wildfires that threatened forests and nearby settlements.

The drones are part of a broader package of equipment worth 85,000 euros funded through the EU's Human Resources Development Programme. The project also provides a transport platform for firefighting equipment, protective gear for volunteers and mobile high-pressure pumping systems with hoses and water tanks for municipalities.

Authorities will increase inspections in agricultural and forest areas and launch a public awareness campaign on fire prevention, Dinev said. Human activity remains the leading cause of summer wildfires, often linked to faulty equipment, sparks from agricultural machinery and the unauthorised use of open fires.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova