Air quality in Bulgaria returns to normal levels after fire in Serbia

The Bulgarian Embassy in Belgrade has delivered a verbal note requesting information about the source of the fire, which is located in a cross-border area, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. As a result of the fire that broke out in the neighboring country, parts of Sofia, Kyustendil, and Pernik provinces were heavily affected by smoke yesterday.

“Bulgarian diplomatic missions in Belgrade and Niš are in constant contact with the relevant Serbian authorities. Assistance in extinguishing the fire has also been offered,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, a decrease in concentrations of fine particulate matter was recorded in the affected areas, and air quality has returned to normal levels, confirmed the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Sofia. At noon on Tuesday, readings showed 100 micrograms per cubic meter, compared with the 24-hour limit of 50 micrograms.

“Due to the wind, the smoke dispersed, and there are no reports of excessive smoke concentrations,” Chief Commissioner Aleksandar Dzhartov, director of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, told bTV. He added that a cloud of smoke generated by numerous fires in Serbia and Albania had entered Bulgarian territory.

Edited by Diana Tsankova