By order of the Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov, the period from April 1 to October 31, 2025 has been designated as a fire-dangerous season in protected areas that are exclusive state property - national parks, reserves, and maintained reserves.

The order obliges the regional inspectorates for environment and water (RIEWs) and the directorates of national parks (DNPs) to take the necessary measures for the strict implementation of fire prevention plans in the protected areas in their respective regions. An obligation is specified to prepare the notification schemes at all levels in the event of fires in the protected areas by April 1.

The preparation of schedules for specialized monitoring in fire-dangerous areas is to begin and preventive control over the activities of owners and users of sites, forests, lands and water areas for fire protection in the relevant protected areas is to be strengthened.

Also, by April 1, the RIEWs and the National Forestry Commission are obliged to send to the mayors of municipalities prescriptions to inform the population about the danger of fires, as well as information about the sanctions that will be imposed on violators. By prescription from the regional structures of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the mayors of municipalities must organize voluntary formations to extinguish fires in protected areas.

Prescriptions are also to be sent to the mayors of municipalities not to allow arson of stubble, brushwood, roadsides, and dry grass. Burning stubble and other plant residues is absolutely prohibited. It burns all organic components in the surface layer of the soil. Micro- and macroorganisms useful for soil fertility are destroyed, and this disrupts the soil-forming process. Conditions are created for the burning of forest protection belts, trees and shrubs, and sometimes entire forest massifs. Many birds and animals die in the fires.

Due to the increased risk of fires as a result of climate change, rising temperatures and drought, as well as the increased tourist interest in the mountains during the summer months, the Ministry of Environment and Water calls on all citizens to maintain constant vigilance and to strictly comply with the prevention measures in order to avoid fires in protected areas, as they are one of the most dangerous and difficult to control disasters.