After the massive fire that hit Himara during the night, Prime Minister Edi Rama went to the scene and appeared alongside the structures engaged in the operation. Meanwhile, institutions have published a significant tally of forces and equipment, but the full assessment of damage for residents is still in process.
Visit to the affected area
During the afternoon, Rama visited the areas affected by the flames in Himara and was briefed up close on the situation on the ground. Personnel from Civil Emergencies, the Armed Forces, firefighting services and other structures involved in the intervention took part in the meeting held there.
According to the official version, the head of government thanked the personnel for their commitment to protecting residents and property. The visit comes at a time when public attention is focused not only on extinguishing the flames, but also on the response of institutions to limit the consequences.
Toll published by the authorities
Data made public by the institutions speak of 881 operational personnel engaged over the past 24 hours. According to the same tally, 75 fire engines were also used in the operation, along with 340 members of the Armed Forces.
This is the numerical toll that the government has placed at the center of its public communication on the situation in Himara. However, the figures on the engagement on the ground still do not provide a full picture of the specific damage caused by the fire in residential areas or to property.
Intervention from the air
The operation was also supported with aircraft. According to the authorities, helicopters and an Air Tractor aircraft were used during the day in efforts to bring the fire hotspots under control.
The use of aerial assets is usually seen as a key element in such cases, especially when the terrain is difficult and the spread of the flames is rapid. At this stage, institutions have not provided further details on the exact extent of the fire hotspots or the level to which they have been neutralized.
Damage expected to be verified by the municipality
For residents of the affected areas, the Municipality of Himara will continue the process of recording, identifying and assessing the damage caused by the fires. This process is expected to determine more clearly the real impact of the incident on the affected families and properties.
In the absence of a detailed damage toll, the focus remains on verification on the ground and on how this consequence will later be managed by the local and central authorities.
The fire in Himara brings back into focus the real capacity to respond to summer emergencies, beyond the numerical tallies published by the government.
For the moment, the authorities have presented the figures of the operation and the prime minister’s presence on the ground, while residents await concrete clarification on the damage and the next steps.