The fire in Himara is worsening by the hour, with flames moving closer to residential areas and hotel structures. According to the version made public by the municipality, residents and tourists near the danger zones must leave immediately and contact the authorities, while the situation on the ground is reported to be difficult.
One home burned, dozens more under threat
Reports from the scene indicate that one home has been reduced to ashes, while more than 40 houses and hotels are at risk from the spread of the flames.
The fire is advancing rapidly toward populated areas, increasing pressure on residents and tourism businesses in the town.
Municipality calls for people to leave at-risk areas
In its notice, the Municipality of Himara called on residents and tourists near the threatened areas to leave and get in contact with the authorities.
At the same time, the evacuation of residents and tourists staying in Himara hotels has also begun, as the rapid spread of the flames and strong winds have worsened the situation.
Response on the ground hampered by wind and terrain
Firefighters continue working on the ground to extinguish and isolate the fire hotspots, but conditions are reported to be difficult. The wind and rugged terrain are favoring the spread of the fire and making the intervention more complicated.
Residents have appealed for help at a moment when the flames are also approaching other homes in the town.
Additional forces and vehicles sent to Himara
Firefighting vehicles have been dispatched to assist from Vlora, Finiq, Delvina and Saranda, along with 3 vehicles from Himara.
Also sent were 50 military personnel from Gjirokastra and two ambulances from Vlora, in an effort to cope with a situation that remains critical.
In the absence of a fuller assessment of the scale of the damage and the real extent of the danger, the priority remains moving people out of exposed areas and stopping the advance of the flames toward homes and hotels.
For now, developments in Himara point to a serious emergency on the ground, where any delay in containing the fire could increase the consequences for residents and the tourist season.