Wildfires remain an ongoing emergency in several parts of the country, as high temperatures and wind are helping fires spread and reignite. According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Defense, 45 fire hotspots were reported in the past 24 hours, of which 12 remain active and one more is under monitoring.
Near Tirana, flames moved close to homes
The most worrying situation has been reported in Priskë e Madhe, where the fire has grown significantly and moved close to homes. An uninhabited house was burned, while several families were evacuated.
According to the official account, the fire has spread toward Gurra, Farka and Lundra, while the operation is continuing both on the ground and from the air to bring the situation under control.
Krujë, Dibër and Mallakastër among the areas at risk
Reignition of fire hotspots has also been reported in the Abaze neighborhood of Krujë, where according to the Ministry the fire remains active and is being supported by the Armed Forces and aerial assets. Authorities say efforts are focused on protecting inhabited areas.
In Gurë-Lurë in Dibër, a large-scale ground and air operation is under way, involving local structures, the police, the forest service, civil emergencies teams and volunteers, also supported by Air Tractor aircraft.
In the Drenie–Lofkend–Ngracije area, on the Patos–Mallakastër axis, operations are continuing with firefighting forces, local structures and support from the Armed Forces. According to official data, fire engines, personnel and municipal forces have been deployed there.
Active hotspots also in Dajt, Përmet, Devoll, Mirditë and Vau i Dejës
In Dajt, near the Selita water factory and above the Qafë-Molla tunnels, work is continuing to extinguish the fire in the pine forest. Authorities say there is no risk to inhabited areas, while the operation is also being supported by helicopters.
Two hotspots also remain active in Përmet, on Mount Nëmerçka above Biovizhdë and on Mount Dhëmbel above Badilonjë. According to the official report, the difficult mountainous terrain is complicating the intervention, although no direct risk to homes has been reported.
Efforts to extinguish the flames are also continuing on Mount Morava in Devoll, in Mirditë in the areas of Valcë–Tenë and Trojë, as well as in Vau i Dejës. Meanwhile, in Vilëz in Kurbin, the hotspot has been placed under monitoring after ground and air intervention.
Government reports 839 personnel in the field
According to the Ministry of Defense, 72 fire engines and 839 operational personnel have been engaged in wildfire operations. Support has also included 250 Armed Forces personnel, 5 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft from the Air Force.
Currently, according to the same tally, 167 Armed Forces personnel, 3 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft continue to operate in the field. The National Civil Emergency Agency and civil protection structures say the priority remains protecting lives and homes and isolating the active fire hotspots.
The figures presented by the authorities show a major deployment in numbers, but the situation on the ground remains sensitive, especially in areas where the flames have moved close to homes and forced evacuations.
With wind and high temperatures continuing to directly affect the spread of the fires, the real test for the institutions remains the effective control of the hotspots and the concrete protection of communities at risk.