A large part of the country is entering a period of high wildfire risk, as temperatures are expected to rise to 37C and the lack of rainfall further increases exposure. According to the official forecast from the Institute of Geosciences, Wednesday is expected to be even more problematic than Tuesday afternoon.
9 counties at high risk
According to the Institute of Geosciences, for Tuesday afternoon, August 4, and for Wednesday, August 5, the wildfire risk level is expected to be high in the counties of Lezhë, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Korçë, Vlorë and Gjirokastër.
The official forecast indicates that the risk is expected to increase further during the following day, putting the focus on preventive measures and field response in the most exposed areas.
Shkodër, Kukës and Dibër at a moderate level, but not without problems
For the counties of Shkodër, Kukës and Dibër, the Institute forecasts a moderate risk level. However, the picture is not the same across the entire territory of these counties.
According to the same notice, the risk remains high in localized areas: in western Shkodër, northeastern Kukës and western Dibër. This means that the overall assessment for a county does not rule out serious risk in specific locations.
No rainfall and high temperatures
No rainfall is expected across the entire country this afternoon and on Wednesday. In such conditions, any fire hotspot can spread more quickly, especially in dry areas and where vegetation is exposed.
Maximum temperatures are expected to reach up to 34C in coastal areas, up to 37C in lowland areas and up to 33C in mountainous areas.
Light wind does not automatically reduce the risk
According to the forecast, winds will be light to moderate during this period. That does not automatically lessen the risk, as the combination of high temperatures and a lack of rainfall keeps conditions favorable for ignition and the spread of fires.
In practice, the warning from technical institutions comes at a time when the country faces repeated wildfire episodes every summer, while the real test remains the concrete readiness of the responsible structures in the field.
The risk map for the two forecast days shows that most of the country remains under conditions sensitive to fires.
Beyond the official notices, the main burden falls on prevention and rapid response in the areas where the risk has been assessed as high.