By order of the Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov, the period April 1 - October 31, 2022 was designated “fire season” in protected areas, which are exclusive state property - reserves, maintained reserves, and national parks.

The order obliges the regional inspectorates for environment and water and the directorates of national parks to take the necessary measures for the strict implementation of fire prevention plans in protected areas in their regions. There is an obligation to prepare by April 15 schemes for notification at all levels in case of fires in protected areas.

The preparation of schedules for specialized monitoring in areas at risk of fires will begin and the preventive control will be enhanced over the activities carried out by owners and users of sites, forests, land and water areas for fire prevention in protected areas. Also by April 15, the regional inspectorates for environment and water and the National Parks Directorate are obliged to send to the mayors of municipalities instructions forbidding burning of stubble, syllables, roadside strips and dry grass, as well as to organize voluntary firefighting formations in protected areas.

The burning of stubble and other plant debris is absolutely forbidden as it burns all organic ingredients in the surface layer of the soil. Micro- and macro-organisms contributing to soil fertility are thereby destroyed, which disrupts the process of soil-formation. It also creates conditions for burning of forest protection belts, trees, shrubs, and sometimes entire forests. Fires are destroying habitats of protected species and killing many birds and animals.

The MOEW calls on all citizens to remain vigilant to prevent fires in forest areas, as they are among the disasters most dangerous and difficult to control.