Albania is facing a wave of wildfires in several counties, while the balance published by the Ministry of Defense points to 44 fire hotspots reported in the last 24 hours. According to the official version, 14 of them remain active, 9 are under monitoring and 21 have been extinguished, with ground and air interventions in the most problematic areas.
Official balance and field deployment
According to the Ministry of Defense, 636 local personnel and 67 fire engines have been deployed in operations to tackle the fires. The Armed Forces have supported the interventions with 329 personnel, numerous vehicles, 6 helicopter operations, 1 Air Tractor aircraft and 1 drone.
The figures show broad involvement by state structures, but the situation remains unresolved in several areas, indicating that the strongest fire hotspots have still not been fully brought under control.
Shkodër and Tirana among the hardest-hit counties
In Shkodër County, the Bardhaj–Myselim hotspot remains active, where according to the authorities work is continuing from the ground and air with 71 personnel and 2 Armed Forces helicopters. The hotspots in Mnelë e Vogël, Naraç and Mount Tërbuni also remain active, where 50 military personnel have also been deployed. The fire in Bërdicë is under monitoring and, according to the official report, does not pose a risk to homes.
Tirana also has several active hotspots. Fires are continuing on Mount Dajti, in Kryezi of Kavajë and in Selitë e Malit. In Dajt, 82 personnel and 1 Armed Forces helicopter have been deployed, while in Kryezi 1 Air Tractor aircraft has also been used.
Active hotspots in Dibër, Lezhë and Berat
In Dibër, active hotspots are reported in Vajkal, Lundre–Madhesh, Qafa e Helmes and Cerrujë. For the Lundre–Madhesh area, authorities say there is also support from the Armed Forces.
In Lezhë, the hotspots in Gallatë and Kalivaç–Zimaj–Kashnjet remain active. In the latter, 63 personnel and 2 Armed Forces helicopters have been deployed. According to the official report, no homes are at risk.
In Berat, the hotspot in Vokopolë remains active, while the fire in the Kala neighborhood has been extinguished.
Extinguished and monitored fires in other counties
In other counties of the country, authorities report that several hotspots have been extinguished or are being kept under monitoring. This list includes Korçë, Elbasan, Vlora, Durrës, Fier and Kukës.
The National Civil Protection Agency says it is monitoring the situation across the entire territory in coordination with prefectures, municipalities and other structures of the civil protection system. The priority declared by the institutions remains the protection of life, homes, property and the environment.
Although the official balance speaks of dozens of extinguished or isolated hotspots, the presence of 14 fires still active shows that the situation remains serious in several counties.
The main weight of the intervention has been concentrated in areas where the flames have required increased support from the air, especially in Shkodër, Tirana, Dibër and Lezhë.