Fire situation in Albania

Fire situation in Albania

Published: Friday, 19 July 2024 14:17

July 19, 2024, 14:30

According to the National Operational Center of Civil Emergencies, seven fires are currently active across the country.

Operational forces, coordinated by the National Civil Protection Agency, continue their efforts in the village of Madhesh in Mat municipality, where the fire that started on July 16 is now under control.

The most critical situation is in Pregj-Lure village of Dibër municipality, where efforts are focused on extinguishing a fire in an area with rare pines and grass. This morning, a helicopter from the Armed Forces joined the operation to prevent the flames, aided by the wind, from spreading towards the village.

Additionally, a fire was reported this morning in an area with bushes and thorns in Rras village, and another in Kuzhnen village in Puka municipality. Emergency forces are actively working to extinguish these fires.

Efforts are also underway to control a fire in Sakat village in Fushë-Arrëzi municipality, where a fire in a forest area with black pine and oak was reactivated.

Firefighting forces are in action in "Shkembi i Hoxhes" area in Kolonje municipality, where a fire broke out in an area with bushes and grass.

Meanwhile, operations continue to extinguish another fire in the "Granicë" neighborhood of Gjirokastër municipality and in Progonat village in Tepelena municipality, where a fire broke out near the public cemetery. Local services from the Tepelena municipality are working to extinguish the fire.

July 19, 2024, 10:30
For several days now, many military personnel of the Armed Forces have joined the operational forces in several districts, coordinated by the National Agency of Civil Protection, to combat the fires.

The most challenging situations have been in Dibra district, in Balgjaj, Klos, and in Madhesh village in Ulëz, where flames have engulfed areas with forest, oaks, and pines. Operatives from the III Battalion of Burrell report difficulties due to the challenging terrain.

"We have been on site for several days, facing multiple fires, and working intensively to extinguish them," says Second Lieutenant Kejdi Vani, noting that air support has been crucial in this battle.

Corporal Klodjan Troci emphasizes that every mission has its risks, but the difficult and steep terrain makes the work even more challenging. "Our forces are on the ground constantly, and I believe we have performed our duty properly. We have been fully engaged since the first notification and will continue until the fires are completely extinguished," he says.

Among these troops is new officer Kilimanjaro Koçi, for whom this is the first mission with the III Battalion of Burrell. His dedication and courage, along with that of all the officers involved, are highly commendable.

The Ministry of Defense extends its gratitude to each military personnel for their sacrifices during these extremely hot days.

A call to all citizens: be vigilant during this hot period, avoid any carelessness that could cause a fire, and react immediately by contacting firefighting services to prevent the consequences. Fire prevention is a shared priority, and cooperation between citizens and authorities is crucial to avoid disasters and preserve our natural environment and common property.

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