Wildfires Across Albania: 10 Remain Active; 2 Helicopters Deployed to Priskë e Madhe

The Ministry of Defense has released the latest data on the wildfire situation across the country, announcing that 10 fires have remained active over the past 11 hours.

A total of 531 operational personnel and 29 vehicles have been mobilized to tackle the flames. The operations involve 104 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel, 250 members of the Armed Forces, 120 personnel from municipalities, the Regional Administration of Protected Areas and the forestry service, 20 State Police officers, 31 volunteers, and 6 representatives of the National Civil Protection Agency and Civil Emergencies.

Aerial operations are being carried out by 5 Air Force helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft. In Dajt, the operation is continuing with 22 personnel from the Fire Protection and Rescue Service and the Regional Administration of Protected Areas, supported by 2 Air Force helicopters. In Priskë e Madhe, 15 personnel, 4 fire engines and 2 helicopters have been deployed. Neither of these two areas poses a risk to residential communities.

In Drenie, in the municipality of Patos, efforts to extinguish the fire are continuing from the ground. Firefighters and 30 Armed Forces personnel are involved in the operation, supported by a military ambulance.

Several fires also remain active in Krujë. In Abaze, ground crews are operating alongside 57 Armed Forces personnel and 2 helicopters, with no risk to residential areas.

In the Bojë neighborhood, one of the fires is being tackled from the ground, while 1 Armed Forces helicopter has been deployed to fight the fire located in difficult terrain. Three fire engines have also been stationed near homes. Operations are also continuing in Krastë–Halil, where residential areas are not currently at risk.

In the Nëmerçkë and Dhëmbel areas, in the municipality of Përmet, operations are being conducted in difficult mountainous conditions. No risk to homes has been reported in either area.

One of the most significant operations is under way in Gurë-Lurë, in the municipality of Dibër. The Fire Protection and Rescue Service, State Police, municipal structures, the Regional Administration of Protected Areas, the forestry service, volunteers, the National Civil Protection Agency, 50 Armed Forces personnel and 2 Air Tractor aircraft have been deployed there. Personnel have been positioned near homes that could be at risk.

On Mount Morava, in the municipality of Devoll, operational teams are continuing their response within the protected pine forest area. So far, there is no threat to residential areas.

The National Civil Protection Agency is continuously monitoring the situation across the country and coordinating operations with the central and local structures of the civil protection system. The spread of the fires and the need to increase aerial or ground capabilities are being assessed in real time, while operations will continue until every active fire is brought under control and fully extinguished.