Fires engulf several villages in Peqin, homes at risk

A critical situation has been reported in several villages in the Municipality of Peqin, where fire hotspots continue to spread rapidly. The flames have engulfed dozens of hectares of olive groves, orchards, areas of nut trees, bushes, vegetation and other agricultural land.

As the fire advanced in different directions late in the evening, authorities on the ground made protecting residents’ lives and stopping the flames before they reached homes the central focus of the operation.

Because of the scale of the fire, teams and vehicles from Cërrik, Belsh, Gramsh, Fier, Berat, Kuçovë, Tirana, Kamëz, Lushnjë and Rrogozhinë arrived to support the Peqin municipal firefighting forces.

The Armed Forces have also been engaged in the operation, alongside civil emergency structures, firefighting services and local authorities.

The forces are working in extremely difficult conditions, intervening from the ground and air to isolate the hotspots and create a safety belt around residential areas.

The village of Galush is considered one of the most problematic areas, as the fire there has continued for around 30 hours.

The flames have swept across large areas, burning olive groves, trees, bushes and vegetation in various locations. Difficult terrain and the size of the hotspot have hindered the intervention of firefighting vehicles.

The danger has increased particularly in areas where the fire has approached residential neighborhoods.

For this reason, the evacuation of residents has been requested in several areas where the flames are rapidly drawing closer.

Powerful hotspots have also been reported in Gjevur, Pajovë and Bishqem, causing considerable damage across large areas of vegetation and trees.

Strong winds have fueled the rapid spread of the fire and repeatedly changed the direction of the flames, making the work of teams on the ground more difficult.

At certain moments, the fire has grown significantly, increasing the risk both to residents and to the forces attempting to isolate the hotspots.

Late at night, the operation focused mainly on rescuing residents and protecting homes from the advancing flames.

The vast area affected, difficult terrain, winds and the intensity of the fire have turned the situation into one of the most challenging seen in recent days in Elbasan County.

Although state structures, firefighters from several municipalities, civil emergency services, the Armed Forces and the community have joined the operation, fully containing the fires remains a major challenge.

The intervention will continue throughout the night, while forces have been deployed at the most critical points and in areas where the threat to homes and residents is greatest.

The situation remains dynamic and critical. Changes in wind direction could affect the further spread of the flames, while the responsible structures continue to monitor and intervene in the affected areas.