Seven wildfire hotspots remain active in several regions of the country, while according to the official version the most problematic situation is in Riban and Ngraçan in Mallakastra. There, the flames have grown in scale and the main effort remains preventing their spread toward residential areas.
14 hotspots reported, 7 still burning
The Ministry of Defense said that 14 wildfire hotspots were reported nationwide over the past 10 hours, of which 7 remain active. The areas cited as most affected are Riban and Ngraçan in the municipality of Mallakastër, Dajt, Shqiponjë, Mount Dardha and Mjekësi in Elbasan County, as well as the mountainous area between Stegopull and Selckë in the municipalities of Libohovë and Dropull.
The balance sheet shows that, despite the engagement of forces on the ground, some of the hotspots remain problematic, especially in difficult terrain and near protected areas or residential zones.
Mallakastra, the most difficult front
According to the authorities, the most serious situation is in the villages of Riban and Ngraçan, where the fire has grown in scale and the intervention is focused on stopping the advance of the flames toward homes.
Vehicles and personnel from several municipalities have been involved in the operation, along with 35 municipal forces, 40 members of the Armed Forces and the Air Force’s “Air Tractor” aircraft. The very fact that aerial and military capacities are being used shows the level of difficulty of the situation in this area.
Dajt, Elbasan and the protected area between Libohovë and Dropull
In Dajt, work continues to extinguish the flames with the participation of firefighting services, the Protected Areas Administration, 50 Armed Forces personnel and an Air Force helicopter. Authorities claim there is no risk to residential areas.
In Elbasan County, interventions are continuing at the hotspots in Shqiponjë, Mount Dardha and Mjekësi. According to the official statement, the fires in Shqiponjë and Mjekës have been brought under control and no danger to residents has been reported.
In the mountainous area between Stegopull and Selckë, the fire has moved to the mountain peak and increased in intensity within a protected area. Here too, the official version says there is no risk to residential areas, although the intensification of the flames in a protected area remains concerning.
Penkovë extinguished, tally of forces on the ground
In Penkovë, in the municipality of Selenicë, the fire has been fully extinguished after affecting about 2 hectares of pine forest and 40 abandoned vehicles. In Gumenicë, work is still under way to extinguish a brush fire, while in Vërzhezhë in Skrapar the situation has been brought under control.
To manage the situation nationwide, 29 firefighting vehicles, 246 operational personnel, 90 Armed Forces members, one helicopter and one “Air Tractor” aircraft have been deployed. The National Civil Protection Agency and local structures are coordinating the response, while it remains to be seen whether this mobilization will be enough to prevent further deterioration in the hottest spots.
At this stage, the main focus remains on Mallakastra, where the flames are approaching residential areas, while in other counties the authorities insist that the risk to residents is limited.
What emerges clearly from the latest tally is that the fires are not an isolated episode, but a repeated test of response capacities on the ground and of the real readiness of the responsible structures.