Albania continues to face a high number of active fires, while the official version says 13 hotspots remain problematic in several counties across the country. According to the Ministry of Defense, by 17:00 a total of 23 hotspots had been recorded, of which 13 were active and 2 under monitoring, with interventions from the ground and the air.
Today’s toll and deployment on the ground
According to the official announcement, 317 operational personnel and 32 firefighting vehicles were engaged in the day’s operations. Support also included 120 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 2 Air Force helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft from the Air Force.
Institutions describe a coordinated operation on several fronts at once, but the map of active hotspots shows that the situation remains widespread and continues to put heavy pressure on local emergency structures.
Dajti and Gurë-Lura, the areas with the largest deployment
On Mount Dajti, the operation continues in the area above the Qafë-Molla tunnels. According to the authorities, operational forces are working on the ground supported by 50 Armed Forces personnel and 2 Air Force helicopters, while it is claimed that there is no risk to inhabited areas.
One of the hotspots with the largest deployment remains the one in Gurë-Lurë, Dibër. There, bulldozers have opened corridors to stop the advance of the flames toward homes. The operation includes 150 municipal personnel, 20 police officers, 11 from the ADZM, 15 from the MZSH and 50 Armed Forces personnel, also supported by 2 Air Tractor aircraft. The burned area is estimated at around 200 hectares of pine forest.
Active hotspots in Dibër, Krujë, Mirditë and Pukë
In Qafë Helmes, on the Dibër-Bulqizë border, the operation is continuing with 11 MZSH personnel, 27 municipal forces and 20 members of the Armed Forces. According to the official report, the fire has been extinguished on the Bulqizë village side, but remains active in the direction of Selishtë.
In Abaze, Krujë, the hotspot remains active at low intensity, while in Zidoll the fire is under monitoring. In Lufaj, Mirditë, work is continuing to extinguish the flames and open separation corridors, while in Fushë-Lajë, Pukë, the rugged terrain is making intervention more difficult.
Gjirokastër, Vlorë and Librazhd on the list of fire-hit areas
In Gjirokastër County, active hotspots are reported in Sotirë, Dropull, Bregu i Lejlekut, Libohovë and in Krahës of Memaliaj. Firefighting structures are on the ground, while authorities say there are no reports of danger to inhabited areas.
In Vlorë as well, hotspots remain active in Gjorm, Aliban and Mesaplik. According to the official version, the fire in Gjorm has been brought under control, while work to extinguish the other two areas continues. In Dardhë, Librazhd, the MZSH, the forestry service and municipal forces are operating.
Authorities insist that in most active hotspots there is no danger to homes, but the spread of the fires across several counties and the use of aerial assets show that the situation remains serious.
According to civil emergency structures, coordination is being carried out by the AKMC through the National Operational Center for Civil Emergencies.