Smoke from border wildfire reaches Bulgarian towns; Sofia asks Serbia for information
Bulgaria's embassy in Belgrade handed a verbal note to Serbian authorities and the Bulgarian MFA offered firefighting assistance.
On 18 August 2026 Bulgarian officials asked Serbian authorities for detailed information after smoke from a nearby fire crossed the border and reached Bulgarian towns, and offered assistance to help extinguish the blaze.
The Bulgarian embassy in Belgrade delivered a verbal note requesting clarification from Serbian officials about the fire in the border area. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria offered support for firefighting efforts.
Diplomatic contacts and operational follow-up
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its diplomatic missions in Belgrade and Niš remain in continuous contact with the competent Serbian institutions to obtain up-to-date information on the incident and its causes.
Bulgarian authorities reported that dense smoke affected parts of the Sofia, Kyustendil and Pernik regions. Emergency steps were taken to clarify the situation and receive the latest updates from Serbian counterparts.
Officials noted that dense smoke was recorded in seven municipalities within the Sofia and Pernik areas, prompting local monitoring of air quality and preparedness measures by emergency services.
Bilateral communication and offers of practical help underline the cross-border nature of the incident as both sides work to determine the origin of the fire and to limit its consequences for populated areas.
Photo: press material from the event
