The situation caused by the fires in Lurë remains severe, with flames advancing in several directions for four days and a toll so far of more than 300 hectares of fir forest and pasture burned. According to the official version, part of the forces has been concentrated near residential areas to prevent further spread toward homes, but the fire continues at high intensity.
Three fire fronts in Lurë, with homes remaining the most sensitive point
The fire in Lurë is developing in three different directions: Gurë Lurës, Fushë-Lurës and Borie Lurës. It is precisely in the latter that the flames have come very close to homes, making their protection the top priority on the ground.
According to authorities, operational forces have been concentrated on the front where houses are at risk, and the situation has been brought somewhat under control. However, in the other two directions the fire continues to burn forest areas and pastures, showing that the spread has not really been stopped.
220 personnel on the ground and aerial intervention, but the flames continue
About 220 personnel from local government, the army, the fire service and volunteers have been engaged in the operation. Intervention is also being carried out from the air with two Air Tractor aircraft.
Despite this mobilization, the fire in Lurë continues at intensity. This fact once again raises questions about the real capacity to respond to large fire fronts, especially when flames last for days and affect forest areas that are difficult to manage.
Dajti, Priska and Kruja: aerial intervention remains decisive
Another highly active fire front is reported in Dajt, above Qafëmolla, in an area of pine forest. Because of the steep terrain, the main burden of the operation is being carried from the air, where two Air Force helicopters have been dropping water since the early hours of the morning. There too, according to official data, the flames continue to spread.
In Priskë e Madhe, the fire was extinguished on the third day thanks to aerial intervention. However, teams have remained on the ground because of high temperatures and wind, which could reactivate the hotspots.
In Abazë of Kruja, monitoring is also continuing, while the wind periodically favors an expansion of the burned area. The official version acknowledges that in this area as well, aerial intervention was decisive in returning the situation to normal.
Active fire hotspots also in the south and north of the country
The problems are not limited to Lurë alone. Two fire hotspots are reported on Mount Nëmerçkë, above the village of Biovizhdë. One of them is located between forest and pasture, in very difficult terrain that is inaccessible to ground forces.
The fire on the slope of Mount Dhëmbel also remains active. In Dibër, in the area known as “Qafa e Helmes,” flames continue in a beech forest area.
Active hotspots are also reported in Mirditë, Fushë-Arrëz, Shkodër, Malësi e Madhe and Elbasan, pointing to a map of fires spread across several counties at the same time.
The current toll in Lurë and the large number of active hotspots in several parts of the country highlight a strained situation, in which aerial intervention is proving decisive while control on the ground remains fragile.
Beyond the reported figures, the fact that several hotspots have continued for days and are threatening populated areas makes even clearer the gap between the scale of the emergency and the ability to neutralize it quickly.