The Ministry of Defense has announced the latest update on wildfires across the country. According to the official notice, 30 fires were recorded during the day, of which 7 remain active, 10 are being monitored, and 13 have been extinguished.

A total of 404 local and municipal operational personnel have been deployed to address the situation, along with 21 firefighting vehicles. In support of the operations, the Armed Forces have made available 133 personnel, 1 helicopter, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 drone, 13 vehicles and 1 ambulance.

In Tirana County, the fire on Mount Dajti remains active. During the day, 25 firefighters, 7 personnel from the Protected Areas Administration and 52 Armed Forces personnel worked at the scene, supported by 6 vehicles and 1 ambulance. According to the data, populated areas are not under threat. Meanwhile, the fires on Mount Bërzhita and Mount Me Gropa have been contained and continue to be monitored.

The situation also remains active at several locations in Dibër County. Fires have been recorded in Lundre–Madhesh, Mat; in Cerrujë–Mount Allushi, Klos; in Selishtë; as well as at a new fire in Pleshë, Klos. The fire at Qafa e Helmes has been placed under surveillance.

In Shkodër County, the fire in Porav, Fushë-Arrëz, remains active. The fires in Rragam and on Mount Tërbun are being monitored and pose no danger to homes. Meanwhile, the fire in Mnelë e Madhe has been extinguished.

In Fier County, the fire in Peshtan remains under monitoring, while the fire in Çërrilë, Mallakastër, remains active. Local forces, forestry structures and civil protection structures are working to extinguish it. The Armed Forces have also joined the operation with 1 helicopter, 32 personnel and 3 vehicles.

In the counties of Lezhë, Elbasan and Korçë, the situation is calmer, as most of the reported fires have been extinguished or are under surveillance. Operations in the field continue in Opar, Korçë, but the fire is classified as being monitored and poses no danger to homes.

The National Civil Protection Agency is continuously monitoring the situation throughout the country, in close cooperation with the prefectures, municipalities and civil protection system structures.

Operational personnel and vehicles remain deployed in the field and on standby for intervention, in accordance with the needs of the situation. The priority remains protecting people’s lives, homes, citizens’ property and the environment.

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Albania has been facing numerous fires for several months. Beyond the environmental consequences, experts from the Institute of Public Health warn that the smoke released by them has an immediate impact on citizens’ well-being.

According to specialists, some categories are more exposed to the deteriorating air quality caused by the flames. Without a doubt, the most vulnerable groups include firefighters battling the blazes and communities living near the fire sites. These groups may experience several health problems.

For residents who are near the fire sites, specialists advise them first to make sure they are not at risk from the flames. Then, to protect themselves from the smoke, they should keep their distance and wear masks with filters.

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The Ministry of Defense reported the latest wildfire situation across the country on Tuesday evening. According to the statement, efforts to manage the hotspots are continuing with increased engagement by operational structures on the ground, supported from the air.

Twenty-two fire hotspots were identified nationwide during the day. Of these, 12 remain active, 9 are under surveillance, and 1 has been extinguished. A total of 498 local and municipal personnel, along with 314 members of the Armed Forces, are taking part in the operations, supported by firefighting vehicles, other operational vehicles, ambulances, one drone and 4 helicopter operations.

On Mount Dajti, the fire remains active in an area covered by beech forest and shrubland. A total of 25 firefighters, 7 ADM personnel and 55 Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to extinguish it, along with 5 vehicles, 1 ambulance and 1 helicopter. According to the authorities, populated areas are not at risk. The fire in Kryezi, Kavajë, has been extinguished, while the hotspot on Mount Brzhita has been isolated and is being monitored by local authorities.

Hotspots in Vajkal, Bulqizë; Lundre-Madhesh, Mat; Qafa e Helmes, Bulqizë; and Cerrujë-Mali i Allushit, Klos, also remain active. In Lundre-Madhesh, in addition to local, forestry and volunteer forces, 22 Armed Forces personnel, 3 vehicles and 1 ambulance have been deployed on the ground. No risk to homes has been reported in these areas; specifically, in Lundre-Madhesh, the fire is at a considerable altitude and a significant distance from populated areas.

Hotspots in Gallatë, Kurbin, and along the Kalivaç-Zimaj-Kashnjet axis in the Municipality of Lezhë also remain active. Difficult terrain is hindering the response in Gallatë, but homes are not under threat. In Kalivaç-Zimaj-Kashnjet, the operation involves 100 local, forestry and volunteer personnel, supported by 124 Armed Forces personnel, 16 vehicles, 2 ambulances and 1 helicopter. There have also been no reports of a risk to populated areas in this zone.

The hotspot on Mount Qukës, in Prrenjas, is under observation and is being monitored by the fire protection service. Meanwhile, the fire in Gurëshpatë, Librazhd, remains active. The Librazhd fire protection service, 1 vehicle and 6 personnel are taking part in this operation. There is no reported risk to populated areas here either.

In Fushë-Arrëz, the hotspot above Ludric and Shopel is under surveillance. In Mnelë e Vogël, Vau i Dejës, the fire remains active. Local structures, 27 Armed Forces personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 1 water tanker and 1 helicopter have been deployed to deal with the situation.

Intervention efforts are continuing in Bardhaj-Myselim by the fire protection service, the Forestry Service, the municipality and volunteers, supported by 43 Armed Forces personnel and vehicles. According to reports, homes are not at risk. The hotspot in Bërdicë remains under monitoring.

On Mount Tërbun, in Pukë, the fire is active across a forested area with pine trees. Local forces and 32 Armed Forces personnel are present on the ground, equipped with 3 vehicles and 1 ambulance. No risk to populated areas has been reported.

The hotspot in Bolenë, Himarë, is being kept under surveillance by the Himarë fire protection service. In Qesarat, Finiq, a fire that broke out during the day in an area covered by shrubland remains active. The Finiq fire protection service has been deployed to the operation, which also involved an intervention by 1 helicopter.

The hotspots in Peshtan, Fier, and Çërrilë, Mallakastër, have moved into the surveillance phase. Firefighting structures are monitoring them on the ground to prevent them from reigniting.

In Halil, Krujë, the fire that had appeared near homes has been isolated and extinguished. However, the Krujë fire protection service continues to monitor the area.

The hotspot in Mamëz, in the Kolsh administrative unit, which appeared during the day in an area with shrubland and pine trees, is under surveillance. The authorities said there is no risk to populated areas.

The National Civil Protection Agency is continuously monitoring developments across the country, in close cooperation with the prefectures, municipalities and structures of the Civil Protection system.

Forces and operational capacities remain on the ground and on alert to intervene in any area where needed. Their priority is to guarantee the safety of human life, protect homes and safeguard citizens’ property.

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On Monday, an alarming situation unfolded in the Ungrej administrative unit of Lezhë, where large fires engulfed the villages of Zimaj and Rras.

Footage from the scene shows a worsening situation, as the flames, fueled by strong winds and the difficult mountainous terrain, are spreading rapidly and have consumed large areas of forest and pastureland.

The fire is advancing toward the local cemetery and church, increasing residents’ fears that the flames could reach their homes.

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Mount Tërbun in Pukë caught fire this afternoon, while strong winds and difficult terrain are fueling the spread of the flames across considerable forested areas.

Pukë Municipality announced that the response is difficult because of the mountainous terrain, which is hindering the movement and access of firefighting vehicles to the affected areas.

Structures of Pukë Municipality, the Firefighting Service, the forestry service and service workers are at the scene, engaged in efforts to contain and extinguish the fire.

The situation is considered alarming, as the flames are threatening and burning forested areas on Mount Tërbun.

Pukë Municipality has called on residents, young people and all citizens who wish to help to join the collective effort to protect the forests and natural heritage.

Citizen solidarity and volunteerism are considered important in this situation. Citizens who wish to contribute or support the work on the ground can contact the responsible structures of Pukë Municipality.

Any intervention by citizens must be carried out only in coordination with professional teams and in accordance with their instructions, in order to prevent risks to life and safety.

The municipality describes Tërbun as an asset of Pukë and appeals to everyone, at this moment when the forests are threatened by fire, to come together with responsibility and solidarity to protect it.

Pukë needs everyone’s cooperation more than ever. The appeal is for the joint protection of Tërbun and the forests.

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Himara Mayor Vangjel Tavo announced that teams are continuing field operations to stabilize the situation after fires affected several areas of the municipality.

According to Tavo, damage assessments are being carried out and direct contact is being maintained with the affected families. Restoring electricity, ensuring water supplies and normalizing life in the damaged areas remain among the main priorities.

In his announcement, Tavo said that during the day, together with municipal staff involved in managing the situation, he conducted inspections in the areas most affected by the fire and met with residents to hear their concerns and needs firsthand.

Himara Municipality teams are documenting the consequences of the fire in cooperation with the verification group from the National Civil Protection Agency. The Minister for Relations with Parliament, Erjona Ismaili, was also present in the field.

Another priority is restoring electricity and water supplies in all affected areas. Meanwhile, the roads have been cleared and traffic has resumed normally.

Work will continue to document and fully assess the damage caused by the fire. The municipality and central institutions are cooperating to ensure that every affected family receives the necessary support.

“In these difficult moments, our priority is to stand by the residents and restore normality as quickly as possible in every affected area,” said Vangjel Tavo.

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Shkodër Mayor Benet Beci has announced that the situation caused by the fires in Bardhaj and Myselim has improved, while homes near the fire hotspots are no longer at risk.

According to him, following a flare-up fueled by the wind around midday, the intervention of ground and aerial teams made it possible to bring the flames under control.

Firefighters, the Forestry Service, Civil Emergencies, the Armed Forces, employees of administrative units, volunteers and local residents took part in the operation.

Two helicopters also helped extinguish the most problematic hotspots, intervening from the air to contain the flames, prevent their spread and protect homes.

Benet Beci announced that Bardhaj and Myselim continue to be monitored by emergency teams in order to prevent any possible flare-up.

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In a statement on social media, Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the situation following the fires in Himara and Fier, saying that the situation is currently under control and poses no danger to residents or inhabited areas.

“Himara and Fier had a very difficult night last night. The situation is currently under control and there is no danger to residents or inhabited areas,” the prime minister wrote.

Rama also announced that the municipalities would continue identifying and assessing the damage caused, while cases requiring urgent assistance would also be recorded.

“The responsible structures are continuing their work on the ground to monitor the situation and document the damage. The municipalities will continue identifying and assessing the damage, as well as recording cases that require urgent assistance,” Rama wrote.

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Flames in the Himarë area continue to spread rapidly, significantly worsening the situation. So far, the fire has engulfed and burned two homes, while around 40 other homes are also at risk.

Firefighting teams are trying to neutralize the hotspots on the ground, but the spread of the flames is making intervention difficult.

Residents have requested urgent assistance from the air, as the fire is advancing toward other homes.

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The Ministry of Defense has published the latest data on the fire situation across the country. Of the 17 hotspots identified in total, 8 remain active, 4 are under monitoring, while 5 have been extinguished.

Fires have been reported in Dajt, Bulqizë, Dibër, Librazhd, Gjirokastër, Tepelenë, Mallakastër and Himarë. Efforts to tackle them have been hampered by the rugged terrain and weather conditions.

To manage the situation, Civil Protection structures have made all operational capacities available. Dozens of firefighters, 50 military personnel, 4 helicopters and 1 “Air Tractor” aircraft have been deployed on the ground. In Librazhd, two homes were evacuated due to the fire risk.

The active hotspots are as follows:

On Mount Dajt, in Tirana, three hotspots have reignited in the Qafë Priskë area and on the mountain ridge. Twenty-five firefighters and AZM personnel are working to extinguish them.

In Qafë e Helmës, Bulqizë, the fire has affected bushes and pine trees. Teams are intervening by creating firebreaks and using backpack pumps, while residential areas are not under threat.

In Vajkal, Bulqizë, the flames continue to burn across rocky terrain covered with bushes and juniper. A total of 95 personnel have been deployed in the operation, including 20 Armed Forces personnel, as well as 1 Armed Forces helicopter. Homes are not at risk.

In Sllatinë, Dibër, the situation worsened around midday due to high temperatures and wind, causing the fire to spread through a forest of tall pine trees. More than 100 personnel are on the ground, and 1 Armed Forces helicopter has been deployed. Residential areas are not at risk.

In Xhyrë, Librazhd, the fire continues to be fueled by the wind. Two homes have been evacuated and firefighting vehicles have been positioned nearby. One Armed Forces helicopter is also taking part in the operation.

In Tërbuq, Gjirokastër, the fire has covered an area of approximately 30 hectares. However, the hotspot is currently fully under control and no longer poses a risk to residents.

In Dragot, Tepelenë, in addition to the Fire Protection and Rescue Services, 30 military personnel and 3 Armed Forces firefighting vehicles have been sent to support the operation.

In Çorrush, Mallakastër, efforts to extinguish the fire in pastureland and low vegetation are continuing. Two firefighting vehicles and 8 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel have been deployed for this purpose.

In the village of Tërbaç, in Vranisht, Horë-Vranisht administrative unit, Himarë municipality, efforts are under way to extinguish a fire that has affected a forested area covered with bushes. Two firefighting vehicles and 9 Himarë Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel are on the ground. The aerial intervention is being carried out with 2 helicopters and 1 Air Tractor aircraft.

Across the country, 50 military personnel, 4 helicopters and 1 Armed Forces Air Tractor aircraft have been deployed to support the operations.

The National Civil Protection Agency continues to monitor the situation around the clock in close cooperation with the prefectures, municipalities and Civil Protection system structures. Operational capacities remain deployed and on standby to intervene as needed, with the protection of people’s lives, homes and property as the top priority.

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