The Ministry of Defense has provided an update on the wildfire situation across the country as of 20:00. A total of 31 fires have been identified, 11 of which remain active, while another 2 are being monitored.

A total of 396 operational personnel and 41 fire engines have been deployed to address the situation. The Armed Forces have provided support with 120 personnel, 2 fire engines, 2 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft.

Efforts to extinguish the flames on Mount Dajti are continuing, with 50 Armed Forces personnel and 2 Air Force helicopters deployed. According to the ministry, residential areas are not at risk. Meanwhile, the fire along the Priskë-Gurrë e Madhe-Farkë-Lundër route has been brought under control and is being monitored.

The operation is also continuing across a wide area in Gurë-Lurë. On the ground are 150 municipal personnel, 20 police officers, 11 personnel from the Regional Administration of Protected Areas, 15 firefighters and 50 Armed Forces personnel, supported by 2 Air Tractor aircraft. The creation of firebreaks has halted the fire’s advance toward homes, and no risk to residential areas has been reported.

In Qafë Helmes, Dibër, 11 firefighters, 27 municipal personnel and 20 Armed Forces personnel have been deployed. The flames have been extinguished on the Bulqizë side, but the fire remains active toward Selishtë.

In Abazaj, Krujë, the fire remains active, although at low intensity and without threatening residential areas. Meanwhile, the fire in Zidoll is being monitored.

In Lufaj, Mirditë, efforts have focused on creating firebreaks, despite the difficulties posed by the terrain and dense vegetation. Homes are not at risk.

In Fushë-Lajë, Pukë, the fire remains active in extremely rugged terrain, making it more difficult for firefighters to intervene. Residential areas are not at risk there either.

The fires in Sotirë, Libohovë and Krahës remain active. In Libohovë, the fire is close to being contained, while no threat to residential areas has been reported in any of the cases. In Gjormë, Selenicë, firefighters have brought the blaze under control, and homes are not at risk.

In Dardhë, Librazhd, firefighters, the forestry service and municipal authorities are working to extinguish the fire. No risk to residential areas has been reported, while the National Civil Protection Agency continues to coordinate and monitor the situation across the country.

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The fourth edition of “Vajza Fest” has placed the village of Vajzë in Selenicë at the center of cultural and tourism life, continuing an event that has now become a cherished tradition throughout the area.

The festival combined art, culture and tradition, with Prime Minister Edi Rama standing out among the senior state officials in attendance.

Rama was unexpectedly invited onto the stage and, having received no prior notice that he would be speaking, began his remarks with humor. He greeted those present and said he would try to “survive” the unexpected situation.

The Prime Minister thanked Supreme Court Chief Sokol Sadushi, who had invited him for the fourth consecutive year. Rama explained that this time he had decided not to decline, as four years were enough to become convinced that the idea was working. Referring also to the judge, whom he wished well in having her judgment become final, he said the time was right to join the others in witnessing the success of the initiative launched four years ago.

Rama then greeted former President Bamir Topi and Tirana Prefect Shkëlqim Hajdari. He joked that he did not understand the reason for Hajdari’s presence, unless he happened to be a friend of Vajzë.

He also joked about Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli. The Prime Minister said that until arriving at the event, he had known Ylli to be from Skrapar, but humorously added that he, too, must certainly be a friend of Vajzë.

Rama thanked Selenicë Mayor Nertil Bello, whom he addressed as Nertili, for the promotion and joked about “bringing the sea to the top of the mountain,” along with its salt water.

He also greeted Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo, joking that he had gone there “to check how the Municipality of Selenicë operates.” Earlier today, the Selenicë Municipal Council voted against the government’s territorial reform project, which aims to merge Selenicë with the Municipality of Vlorë.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister also thanked the judge for her presentation, which he described as impressive from the outset. Continuing with his jokes, he also commented on her outfit, saying it was not typical of someone who had passed the vetting process.

In conclusion, Rama thanked the participants and wished them an enjoyable festival, as well as an even bigger and better event next year. He closed his remarks by jokingly emphasizing that what mattered was that those present in Vajzë had the judiciary on their side.

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Albania’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that 18 wildfires had been identified across the country. Of these, 14 remain active.

Firefighters and emergency response teams are working on the ground to contain and extinguish the flames. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, focusing operations on areas where the fires threaten residents or surrounding land.

The Ministry of Defense said that, as of 18:00 on August 13, 2026, a total of 31 wildfires had been reported throughout the day.

Of the 18 fires currently identified, 14 are active, 2 are being monitored and another 2 have been brought under control.

Central and local authorities are working in coordination to address the situation. The Armed Forces have deployed 309 personnel, 22 vehicles, 1 water tanker, 3 ambulances, 9 fire engines, 3 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft.

In Dajt, Tirana, the operation above the Qafë-Mollë tunnels is being carried out by 20 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel and 10 Regional Administration for Protected Areas employees, supported by 2 Armed Forces helicopters. Meanwhile, 40 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel, 8 fire engines, 25 volunteers and 2 Armed Forces helicopters have been deployed across the Priskë e Madhe–Gurrë–Farkë–Lundër area. Residential areas are not at risk.

In Abaze, Krujë, the fire remains active, while wind has helped spread the flames. Operational forces are responding with assistance from 1 Armed Forces helicopter. Homes are not at risk.

In Gurë-Lurë, Dibër, the flames continue to burn with high intensity in two directions. The perimeter near homes has been brought under control, preventing them from being destroyed by the fire. The operation involves 120 municipal personnel, 57 Armed Forces personnel, 15 police officers, 15 volunteers and 9 Regional Administration for Protected Areas employees, while 2 Air Tractor aircraft are responding from the air.

In Nëmerçkë and Dhëmbel, Përmet, several fires continue to burn through forests and pastures in difficult terrain. Firefighters, forestry workers and volunteers have been deployed to extinguish them. No danger to residential areas has been reported.

Efforts to contain the fire in Trojë, Mirditë, are continuing. Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel, 36 municipal personnel, 3 police officers, 20 volunteers and 30 Armed Forces personnel are on the ground.

In Lugaxhi, Elbasan, the situation has worsened after the flames spread to the crowns of pine trees. The response has mobilized 6 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel, 6 forestry personnel, 5 ASHP employees, 5 municipal personnel and 30 volunteers, with support from the Cërrik Fire Protection and Rescue Service. Residential areas are not at risk. A new fire has also been identified in Shalës, Cërrik, where 3 Fire Protection and Rescue Service personnel are operating with 1 vehicle.

In Dhivër, Finiq, Vlorë County, Fire Protection and Rescue Service teams from Finiq, Delvinë, Konispol and Dropull are responding. A total of 5 fire engines, 10 personnel, municipal forces and 1 Armed Forces helicopter are available. The fire in Rumanxë has been fully extinguished, while the blaze in Dhrovjan has been brought under control.

In the Mallakastër–Patos area, the fires in Drenie, Lofkënd and Ngraçije have been contained and remain under monitoring. Operations are continuing in the Gjinoqarë forest area. In Kryezi, Fushë-Arrëz, the fire is under control, while efforts are still underway in Rrencë and Goraj-Budishtë to fully contain the blazes.

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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.

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During the closed-door meeting, Prime Minister Edi Rama became involved in a heated exchange with the mayor of Poliçan, Adriatik Zotkaj. Details were disclosed by sources to Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu.

The discussion began with the issue of the Municipality of Poliçan. Rama reportedly addressed Zotkaj, saying: “You should not be at this meeting because you committed the shameless act of burning your Socialist Party membership card.”

The mayor of Poliçan responded to the prime minister, saying: “If there is any shameless act, it is what you and the Socialist Party have done by abolishing a municipality that has voted for you for 25 years.”

Following the clash, Adriatik Zotkaj left the meeting shortly after it began, according to the same sources.

During the meeting, there were also heated exchanges with two other mayors, those of Divjakë and Dimal, respectively.

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Over the past 12 hours, 23 wildfires have been reported across the country, the Ministry of Defense announced. Of these, eight remain active.

A total of 310 operational personnel have been mobilized to manage the situation, including 103 members of the Armed Forces, along with 26 fire engines. Three helicopters and two Air Tractor aircraft also took part in the operations, but aerial interventions were suspended in the evening.

Ground operations are continuing in Dajt, Priskë e Madhe, Drenie in Patos, Krujë, Mount Nemërçka and Mount Dhëmbel. Authorities said residential areas are not at risk.

Another major operation is underway in Gurë-Lurë, Dibër. To protect the community, firefighting teams, volunteers and two Armed Forces helicopters were deployed near homes.

Meanwhile, the fire reported in Vilëz, Kurbin, has been fully extinguished, according to the Ministry’s statement.

The National Civil Protection Agency and local authorities are continuing to coordinate their work and field operations until all remaining active fires have been completely extinguished.

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The Ministry of Defense has released the latest information on the wildfire situation across the country.

According to the official announcement, several wildfires had been identified as of 16:00, with 8 of them still active in the counties of Tirana, Fier, Durrës, Gjirokastër and Dibër.

A total of 165 operational personnel have been deployed to tackle the situation, including 85 members of the Armed Forces. Aerial operations have also included 7 helicopter missions and 2 Air Tractor aircraft missions.

In Dajt, within the municipality of Tirana, flames have reignited in the pine forest above the Qafë Mollë tunnels. A total of 22 personnel from the Tirana Fire and Rescue Service and the Regional Administration of Protected Areas are involved in the operation, supported by an Armed Forces helicopter. Efforts to extinguish the fire are also continuing in Priskë e Madhe, while residential areas are not currently under threat.

The fire in Drenie, in the municipality of Patos, which had been considered under control, has reignited in a remote part of the forest. Two Air Tractor aircraft are being used to extinguish it, while an improvement in the situation in Drenie has been reported.

Efforts are underway in Krujë to neutralize two active wildfires. In the Abaze neighborhood, winds have helped spread the fire, but no homes are reported to be at risk. In Krastë–Halil, the situation worsened during the early morning hours, increasing the threat to homes. Following the intervention of 2 helicopters, the situation has returned to normal, while operational teams continue working to bring the fire under control and fully extinguish the flames.

The operation to extinguish the fire is also continuing on Mount Nëmerçkë, in the municipality of Përmet, where the blaze does not pose a threat to residential areas. Another fire has been detected on Mount Dhëmbel, above the village of Badilonjë, and personnel from the Përmet Fire and Rescue Service are working to extinguish it.

In Gurë-Lurë, in the municipality of Dibër, the fire has affected an area of pine forest and pasture. Teams on the ground are working intensively to eliminate the blaze.

The National Civil Protection Agency and civil protection structures remain on full alert. They are monitoring the situation and coordinating operations on the ground, focusing particularly on fires that could spread and on protecting residential areas.

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A vehicle came under gunfire on Saturday afternoon in Lezhë. No injuries were reported.

Police said that at around 18:00, Gj. Gj., who was traveling in an Audi, opened fire on another moving vehicle of the same make, driven by M. J., 30, a resident of Rubik.

Initial checks and inquiries conducted by the authorities confirmed that the bullets did not injure anyone.

The suspected gunman has been identified and remains wanted by police. Meanwhile, under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office, the investigative team is working at the scene to clarify the circumstances and legally document the case.

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The final plenary session of this parliamentary term was scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 23, with the presentation of the Socialist Party and Democratic Party reports on Territorial Reform also expected to be part of the agenda.

However, the report of the Special Committee on Territorial Reform does not appear on the agenda published by the Albanian Parliament for the July 23 session. The committee’s mandate expired on July 15.

The Conference of Chairpersons will meet on Thursday morning to review the parliamentary schedule for July 27-31. The meeting is expected to discuss whether to convene another plenary session, whose agenda could include the report on Territorial Reform, along with the ratification of a defense agreement.

If the Conference of Chairpersons decides to hold an additional parliamentary session, July 27 is considered the most likely date.

The Socialist Party had stated that the report would be presented on July 23. In addition to assessing the 2014 territorial reform, the Socialists will also present their proposal for dividing the country into municipalities.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is expected to submit to Parliament on Wednesday only its analysis of the 2014 territorial reform, without presenting a proposal for the new territorial map.

Neither the Socialist Party’s report nor the Democratic Party’s report was presented to the committee, and they were therefore not put to a vote.

Under Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, the report on Territorial Reform must first be reviewed by the committee and only then referred for debate in a plenary session.

The decision on Thursday, July 23, will clarify whether the report on Territorial Reform will be added to the agenda at the last minute or whether another parliamentary session will be required.

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On Friday, an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group and the government cabinet will be held at the Palace of Brigades, and the agenda for the meeting has now been made public.

According to the program sent to MPs, the meeting will be opened by Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi. He will present an overview of the work carried out in leading Parliament, the use of technology in the institution’s activities, and plans for the new parliamentary building.

He will be followed by the head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, who will report on the group’s activities during this parliamentary session. The focus will be on MPs’ participation in both parliamentary committees and plenary sessions.

The meeting will conclude with closing remarks by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

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