More than 600 fires were registered in Bulgaria on August 18 and 19. The number of tip-offs about fires by 6pm on August 20 were 177, Focus news agency quoted the Interior Ministry as saying.

Nine of the fires were major and emergency and rescue groups were sent to extinguish them.

A fire broke out in the Varna neighbourhood of Vinitsa in the afternoon, National Fire Safety and Protection of Population Service in Varna director Sashko Groudev told Focus. Nearly 100 000 sq of grass area were burned down before the fire reached a pine-tree forest nearby. The reason for the fire was still unclear.

Another 100 000 sq m were on fire near the coastal resort of Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach). It took three fire vehicles, 20 fire men and 20 forestry employees to extinguish the fire, which hindered traffic in the region.

Dry grass and bushes was on fire near Botevgrad, but the fire was already under control, Focus said.

Currently, stubble-fields and dry grass areas were on fire near the village of Samovodene, in the region of Veliko Turnovo.