Seven wildfire hotspots remain active in several counties across the country, while the tally reported by institutions points to 14 cases recorded in the last 10 hours. According to the official version, the most serious situation is in Mallakastër and in part of the mountainous areas of Gjirokastër, where the terrain and vegetation are making it more difficult to contain the flames.
Mallakastër remains the hottest spot
According to the Ministry of Defense, active fire hotspots have been identified in Riban and Ngraçan, in the municipality of Mallakastër, where the fire has grown in scale and work is under way to prevent the flames from moving toward inhabited areas.
This operation has involved equipment and personnel from several municipalities, 35 municipal forces, 40 members of the Armed Forces, and the Air Force’s “Air Tractor” aircraft. The scale of the intervention shows that the situation is not simply local, despite the reassuring wording that usually accompanies official reporting.
Dajt and Elbasan, fires still under intervention
In the Dajt area, work is continuing to extinguish the fire with the involvement of firefighting services, the Protected Areas Administration, 50 members of the Armed Forces, and an Air Force helicopter. Authorities say there is no danger to inhabited areas.
Meanwhile, in Elbasan County, active hotspots remain in Shqiponjë, Mount Dardhë, and Mjekës. According to official data, the fires in Shqiponjë and Mjekës have been brought under control and do not pose a risk to residents, but interventions on the ground are continuing.
Gjirokastër, difficult terrain is favoring the spread of the flames
One of the most delicate points is reported in the mountainous area between Stegopull and Selckë, in the municipalities of Libohovë and Dropull. According to authorities, the fire has crossed to the mountain peak and increased in intensity within a protected area, without so far threatening homes.
Likewise, a large fire has engulfed the slope of Mali i Gjerë, above the village of Levenisht, in the place known as Milava. The Fire Protection and Rescue Directorate in Gjirokastër says the rugged terrain and dense vegetation are favoring the spread of the flames to other areas.
Official tally of the engagement on the ground
In Penkovë in the municipality of Selenicë, the fire has been fully extinguished after affecting about 2 hectares of pine forest and 40 abandoned vehicles. In Gumenicë, work is continuing to extinguish a shrub fire, while in Vërzhezhë in Skrapar the situation, according to official reporting, has been brought under control.
To manage the situation nationwide, 29 fire engines, 246 operational personnel, 90 members of the Armed Forces, one helicopter, and one “Air Tractor” aircraft have been deployed. The National Civil Protection Agency and local structures are coordinating the interventions, while it remains to be seen how effective these capacities will be against the hotspots that remain active.
The tally so far shows that the fires have still not been fully isolated, especially in areas with difficult terrain and dense vegetation cover.
Despite statements that in some points there is no danger to residents, the rapid development of the flames in Mallakastër and Gjirokastër keeps the situation at a high level of concern.