TIRANA, Aug 15 (BalkanView) – Albania is battling another wave of wildfires after authorities reported 35 outbreaks over the past 24 hours, eight of which remain active, as hundreds of personnel and firefighting aircraft work to contain the flames.
The Defence Ministry said 533 emergency personnel and 39 firefighting vehicles had been deployed in operations across the country.
The response has also involved 186 members of the Armed Forces, four helicopters and two Air Tractor aircraft. Currently, 120 military personnel, two helicopters and both Air Tractor planes remain engaged in firefighting operations.
Dajti, Kruja and Dibër in focus
One of the main operations is underway on Mount Dajti, near Tirana, above the Qafë-Mollë tunnels. Firefighters are being supported by 50 Armed Forces personnel and two helicopters.
Authorities said there was currently no threat to residential areas.
In Priskë, Farkë and surrounding areas, the deployment of 30 firefighters and six vehicles has helped bring the blaze under control.
In Kruja, crews continue to tackle fires in Abaze and Zidoll. Ground operations, backed by aerial support on Friday, have helped stabilise the situation. Firefighters in Zidoll are working to fully contain and extinguish the blaze, with no homes currently reported to be at risk.
Major operation underway in Lurë
The situation remains serious in Gurë-Lurë in the Dibër region, where one of the country’s main firefighting operations is underway.
Authorities said crews had opened corridors through the terrain to prevent the flames from advancing towards homes. Saturday’s operation is being supported by 50 Armed Forces personnel, two Air Tractor aircraft and a water tanker.
In Qafë-Helmes, in the Bulqizë-Selishtë area, operations are continuing with the support of 20 military personnel. Authorities said homes were not currently at risk in either area.
Firefighters are also working to contain remaining blazes in Lezhë, Elbasan and Shkodër, including fires in Lufaj, Dardhë and the Tërbun forests.
Fires in Përmet, Trojë, Qukës and Paulesh have been fully extinguished, according to authorities.
The latest figures follow reports a day earlier of 29 wildfires, 11 of which remained active, indicating that new outbreaks continue to emerge even as firefighters bring some existing blazes under control.