The wildfire situation remains tense in several regions of the country, even though the official tally seeks to present it as under control. By 14:00 this Sunday, according to the Ministry of Defense, 21 wildfire hotspots had been recorded, of which 11 remain active and 3 others are being kept under monitoring.
Official tally and operations on the ground
The version published by the Ministry of Defense says that 387 operational personnel and 23 fire engines are involved in firefighting operations. Also deployed in support are 100 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 3 helicopters, and 2 Air Tractor aircraft of the Air Force.
Institutions say operations have been focused on several regions at the same time, while the AKMC is carrying out coordination and monitoring across the entire territory. However, the spread of the hotspots across several problematic areas itself shows that the situation remains fragile.
Dajti and Gurë-Lura, the two areas under the greatest pressure
On Mount Dajti, work to extinguish the flames is continuing with the support of 50 members of the Armed Forces and 2 helicopters. According to the official statement, there is no danger to residential areas, while the Priskë-Gurrë e Madhe-Farkë-Lundër hotspot is under control and monitoring.
In Gurë-Lura, the operation is unfolding across a wide perimeter. Deployed there are 115 municipal personnel, 13 police officers, 11 ADZM personnel, 14 firefighters with 2 vehicles, 7 volunteers, and 50 Armed Forces personnel, also supported by 2 Air Tractor aircraft. According to the authorities, the opened corridors have prevented the flames from advancing toward homes.
Active hotspots in several regions, with varying intensity
In Abaze, Krujë, the fire remains active but at low intensity. On the ground, 2 fire engines, 24 personnel, 10 volunteers, and 15 ADZM personnel are working. In Vakumone, Shëngjergj, the operation is also continuing with firefighting forces, volunteers, and local structures.
In Qafë Helmes, on the Dibër-Bulqizë border, the fire has been extinguished on the Bulqizë side, but remains active in the direction of Selishtë. In Bruç, Mat, the flames have spread widely in a rocky area with difficult access, while in Lufaj, Mirditë, work is under way to open separating corridors, with support also from an Armed Forces helicopter.
Active hotspots or fires in the process of being extinguished are also reported in Fushë-Lajë, Pukë, Rrjoll, Shkodër, Trevllazër, Vlorë, and Leminot, Maliq, where a new hotspot has been identified on an area covered with grass and shrubs.
Official claim: no danger to homes
At nearly every reported hotspot, institutions repeat that there is no danger to residential areas. This is also the declared position for Dajti, Gurë-Lura, Abaze, Qafë Helmes, Bruç, and Fushë-Lajë.
However, the fact that several of the hotspots remain active in broad, rugged, or inaccessible terrain shows that full control of the situation remains unconfirmed beyond the official wording. For now, the main focus remains isolating the fires and stopping their spread.
The wildfire map includes Tirana, Dibër, Mirditë, Mat, Krujë, Pukë, Shkodër, Vlorë, and Korçë, making the situation a serious test for civil emergency capacities.
Beyond the reassuring statements of institutions, the real weight of the operation remains on extinguishing on the ground the hotspots that have still not been fully closed.