The latest figures made public by the Ministry of Defense show that 21 wildfire hotspots were reported in the past 24 hours, while 11 remain active. According to the official account, the greatest pressure is in several areas of Fier, Shkodër, Mat and Dajt, where local forces, firefighting vehicles and members of the Armed Forces have been deployed on the ground.
Official tally: 21 hotspots, but half remain a problem
The Ministry of Defense said that of the 21 hotspots reported during the day, 11 continue to be active, 5 are being kept under monitoring and 5 have been extinguished. The figures show that, despite the commitment announced by the institutions, a considerable share of the fire fronts has still not been neutralized.
According to the same statement, operations involve 587 local operational personnel, 52 firefighting vehicles, as well as 550 Armed Forces personnel and 7 vehicles. Air support has been provided by 4 helicopters and 1 Air Tractor aircraft.
Fier and Shkodër on the list of the most sensitive areas
In Fier, active hotspots are reported in Drizë/Radostinë, Vadhizë, Peshtan and Levan. According to the Ministry, 13 firefighting vehicles, 4 water tankers, 55 personnel, 90 fire protection forces and 104 military personnel have been deployed there, with support also from 1 helicopter and 1 Air Tractor aircraft.
In Shkodër, in the Bardhaj area, the fire remains active. The operation is being carried out with 5 firefighting vehicles, local structures and support from the Armed Forces with 1 firefighting vehicle and 1 helicopter.
Mat and Dajt remain in focus
In Mat, according to the authorities, the hotspots in Lundre and Madhesh remain problematic, while the operation is also supported by 30 Armed Forces personnel.
The hotspot in Dajt also remains active. On the ground, 30 local personnel and 50 Armed Forces personnel have been engaged. For the Qinam area, it is reported that it is being kept under monitoring and, according to the official assessment, it poses no risk to inhabited areas.
In Himarë, the fire was extinguished, but the consequences are severe
In the “1 Maji” neighborhood in Himarë, the fire has been extinguished after a large-scale operation involving 26 firefighting vehicles, local, police and volunteer forces, as well as 183 personnel, 2 fire engines, 2 ambulances and 2 helicopters from the Armed Forces.
The reported toll there includes 6 burned homes, of which 3 were inhabited, as well as 36 evacuated people. This remains one of the most serious episodes of the day, despite the fire being considered extinguished.
Other active and monitored hotspots in several counties
Active hotspots are also reported in Vajkal, Mallunxë–Lis, Gallatë, Kalivaç–Zimaj–Kashnjet, Krastë of Elbasan, Iballë and Krepse. Meanwhile, in some other areas only monitoring continues.
According to the authorities, in Mavrovë of Selenicë and on Mount “Partizan” in Berat, the fires have been extinguished. The National Civil Protection Agency says it is coordinating the situation with prefectures, municipalities and civil protection structures, while operational capacities remain on standby.
However, the fact that 11 hotspots remain active shows that the situation is not fully under control, despite the high engagement figures reported by the institutions.
The real extent of the damage and the effectiveness of the response are expected to be measured not by statements, but by curbing the flames on the ground and protecting homes and inhabited areas.