A large-scale fire broke out around midday today in the forest massif in the village of Lugaxhi, in the Labinot Mal Administrative Unit, Municipality of Elbasan. According to preliminary information, the flames have spread across a considerable area and are advancing toward the residential zone, making the situation worrying for local residents.
The alarm was raised by residents
According to the official version, at around 13:00 the Elbasan Municipality fire service was notified by residents about the outbreak of the fire in the Lugaxhi forest massif.
Initial data points to a rapid spread of the flames in an area where the proximity to homes turns the incident from a forest fire into a direct risk for the community.
Firefighters, civil emergency teams and residents on the ground
Following the notification, the fire service, civil emergency structures and residents themselves were engaged in the area, with the aim of containing the spread of the flames and protecting homes.
According to local authorities, the operation is focused on isolating the active fire hotspots and stopping the fire’s advance toward the residential area.
Difficult terrain is complicating the response
The response is facing difficulties because of the terrain and the large area affected by the flames. This is making the full containment of the fire slower and more difficult.
The priority declared by the structures on the ground remains the protection of homes, as the fire is approaching the residential area.
Elbasan faces several fire hotspots on consecutive days
The Elbasan fire service, according to official data, has also been intensively engaged in recent days in fire situations across the municipality’s territory.
Because of this workload, the structures have organized the service in two areas of Elbasan to increase the speed of response to different fire hotspots.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
Authorities have asked residents to avoid approaching the fire hotspots and to follow the instructions of emergency structures.