TIRANA, July 5 /ATA/-By Gjergji Mima/Albania is facing an increasing threat of wildfires during the summer season.
Haki Çako, Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency, emphasized in an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that most wildfire incidents are caused by intentional acts or negligence. He called for enhanced public vigilance and the enforcement of stricter penalties to prevent and control these emergencies.
He emphasized that currently there are four fire hotspots in the country, with the most problematic situations in Elbasan, Has, Tirana, and Finiq.
Çako highlighted that fire management is based on an updated national plan and a coordinated inter-institutional system that also involves the Armed Forces.
The Director of the National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) announced that drills have been conducted across the country, international cooperation has increased, and he warned that a national awareness campaign, “AKMC on tour,” will soon be launched.
In the event of a deterioration in conditions, Çako confirms that the national emergency response plan will be promptly enacted, encompassing population evacuation procedures and the mobilization of international aid if necessary.
ATA: What is the current situation of wildfires in the country? Are there specific areas of concern?
Çako: From 09:00 on July 3rd to 08:30 on July 4th, 2025, a total of 21 wildfire incidents were reported nationwide. Of these, 17 have been successfully extinguished, while 4 remain active.
Active hotspots are located in the regions of Elbasan, Tirana, Finiq, and Has. The most critical situation is ongoing at the urban waste disposal site in Elbasan, where containment and inert material coverage operations are underway. Environmental experts are on-site monitoring air quality.
In Bulticë village, Tirana, firefighting efforts are ongoing both on the ground and from the air, supported by a Cougar helicopter, targeting a fire in shrubland and bush areas. Between Grazhdan and Malçan villages in Finiq municipality, the hotspot has been contained but under continuous surveillance.
In the mountainous zone between Gjinaj and Domaj villages in Has, a fire has impacted a pine forest. Due to challenging terrain and windy conditions, the fire remains active, with intensive efforts focused on containment and suppression.
Civil protection and operational teams continue coordinated efforts to control and extinguish all active wildfires.
ATA: What concrete measures has the National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) taken so far to prevent and manage wildfires during the summer season?
Çako: In accordance with its legal mandate, AKMC exercises coordinating, directing, technical, supervisory, and control authority in the field of disaster risk mitigation and civil protection across the entire territory of the Republic of Albania. It works towards prevention, effective response, and recovery through an integrated and efficient civil protection system. Essentially, the Agency’s approach is proactive and coordinated, involving all links of the civil protection system to minimize risks and respond efficiently to any emergency situation during the summer season.
In this context, wildfire management during the summer season is one of the agency’s main priorities, based on a comprehensive approach that covers all phases of the disaster management cycle: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
AKMC has undertaken a series of structured measures according to the four main phases of disaster risk management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Specifically:
Prevention and Mitigation:
The National Civil Emergency Plan has been updated, clearly defining the responsibilities of the relevant institutions. Periodic inspections have been carried out in municipalities and counties to identify high-risk areas and coordinate preventive measures. Community awareness has been stepped up through informational and educational campaigns in collaboration with local authorities and civil society.
Preparedness:
An Interinstitutional Task Force for managing fire situations during the summer has been established and is operational. The operational capacity of local civil protection structures has been strengthened. A coordinated information and early warning system for fires has been set up, involving the National Civil Emergency Operations Center, in collaboration with the Institute of Geosciences and the Meteorological Agency. Cooperation with the Armed Forces and local firefighters has been reinforced to ensure prompt response. Firefighting units and forestry services in all counties have been placed on alert. Daily monitoring of the situation is conducted through reports from municipalities, as well as the use of technological tools for aerial and ground surveillance.
Response:
A centralized, permanent operational team has been set up to continuously monitor wildfire situations and coordinate interventions in real time. Both aerial and ground firefighting resources are on standby, with support arrangements in place involving international partners if necessary.
Recovery:
AKMC works closely with local governments to document damages and reevaluate recovery needs following each incident. As stipulated by Law 45/2019 on Civil Protection, a dedicated emergency fund equal to 4% of the previous year’s municipal budget is available for use in prevention, response, and rehabilitation efforts within municipal areas.
ATA: How well-equipped are local civil protection units to handle emergencies like forest fires or fires in residential areas?
Çako: Local civil protection units across Albania have notably improved their organization and response capabilities for emergencies, including forest and urban fires. Nonetheless, preparedness levels vary considerably between municipalities, largely due to disparities in personnel, technical equipment, and logistical support.
AKMC continues to work in this area through various projects with its partners to strengthen local capacities by organizing different drills and training sessions. Examples include the training exercises held in Shkodër, Pishë Poro, Dibër, and Gjirokastër involving all municipalities in the respective counties and operational structures related to fire management. Additionally, AKMC donated 25 sets of equipment to the Municipality of Tirana for the creation of GFFF modules as part of the IPA FF project, along with firefighting tools from TAP, boats, and many other pieces of equipment.
In certain municipalities, responses have been fairly rapid and efficient, successfully containing fires and preventing their expansion into wider or more vulnerable zones. This highlights that with adequate personnel and technical resources, emergency responses can be effective and well-organized.
Nonetheless, challenges persist in accessing remote rural regions, managing urban waste, enhancing local human and technical capabilities, and securing investments in logistics and advanced intervention tools—issues that require more focused attention moving forward.
To sum up, local civil protection structures are steadily improving, yet they continue to encounter delays, shortcomings, and significant challenges in addressing the growing frequency of risks like fires, especially in the context of climate change and uncontrolled urban expansion.
ATA: Has there been collaboration with international organizations or neighboring countries to address the situation?
Çako: So far, the recent fire incidents have been managed by local and national resources. Nonetheless, AKMC continues to actively cooperate with the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which Albania joined in November 2022, as well as with neighboring countries for information sharing and potential support in extreme cases. Additionally, we participate in regional networks focused on natural disaster management.
It should be noted that AKMC has a strong record of cooperation with international partners for mutual aid and assistance in various disaster situations over the years. Following requests for help through the UCPM, Albania has received support with helicopters from Greece, Romania, Italy, the Netherlands, and other countries to manage emergencies. On the other hand, Albania has also provided assistance in many cases, such as the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023, which caused over 36,000 casualties, the wildfires in Greece during the summer of 2023, and aid sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina after the floods in 2024.
ATA: Have there been any trainings or simulations conducted for emergency personnel to effectively respond to fires?
Çako: Yes, the training and readiness of emergency teams to tackle fires is a key focus of the National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC). The Directorate of Education, Training, and Information Technology within AKMC is dedicated to strengthening the operational capabilities of relevant institutions and raising public awareness.
Throughout this year, numerous drills and simulations have taken place across various parts of the country, including schools in Tirana and other regions, to test evacuation and fire response procedures. Moreover, specialized on-site trainings have been conducted in high-risk areas such as Pishë Poro, Gjirokastër, and Dibër, assessing response times and coordination between institutions.
AKMC has also engaged in international training exercises, working alongside European partners to enhance standards and share best practices in fire emergency management. These efforts form part of a continuous strategy to enhance the preparedness of all agencies against the increasing fire risks during the summer season.
The two most recent large-scale trainings conducted this year include the April exercise in Shkodër focused on floods, and the latest one held just a month ago in Gjirokastër. The Gjirokastër training involved operational forces from the Gjirokastër region as well as all the municipalities in the southern part of the country, specifically concentrating on managing forest fires and fires near residential areas.
ATA: Has there been collaboration with international organizations or neighboring countries to address the situation?
Çako: So far, the recent fire incidents have been managed by local and national resources. Nonetheless, AKMC continues to actively cooperate with the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which Albania joined in November 2022, as well as with neighboring countries for information sharing and potential support in extreme cases. Additionally, we participate in regional networks focused on natural disaster management.
It should be noted that AKMC has a strong record of cooperation with international partners for mutual aid and assistance in various disaster situations over the years. Following requests for help through the UCPM, Albania has received support with helicopters from Greece, Romania, Italy, the Netherlands, and other countries to manage emergencies. On the other hand, Albania has also provided assistance in many cases, such as the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023, which caused over 36,000 casualties, the wildfires in Greece during the summer of 2023, and aid sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina after the floods in 2024.
ATA: Have there been any trainings or simulations conducted for emergency personnel to effectively respond to fires?
Çako: Yes, the training and readiness of emergency teams to tackle fires is a key focus of the National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC). The Directorate of Education, Training, and Information Technology within AKMC is dedicated to strengthening the operational capabilities of relevant institutions and raising public awareness.
Throughout this year, numerous drills and simulations have taken place across various parts of the country, including schools in Tirana and other regions, to test evacuation and fire response procedures. Moreover, specialized on-site trainings have been conducted in high-risk areas such as Pishë Poro, Gjirokastër, and Dibër, assessing response times and coordination between institutions.
AKMC has also engaged in international training exercises, working alongside European partners to enhance standards and share best practices in fire emergency management. These efforts form part of a continuous strategy to enhance the preparedness of all agencies against the increasing fire risks during the summer season.
The two most recent large-scale trainings conducted this year include the April exercise in Shkodër focused on floods, and the latest one held just a month ago in Gjirokastër. The Gjirokastër training involved operational forces from the Gjirokastër region as well as all the municipalities in the southern part of the country, specifically concentrating on managing forest fires and fires near residential areas.
ATA: What is the level of public awareness regarding the risk of fires, and how can citizen involvement in prevention efforts be enhanced?
Çako: Sadly, raising awareness among citizens continues to be a significant challenge. A large number of fires are either deliberately started or result from careless actions during waste burning or seasonal cleanup. While we have strengthened awareness campaigns via media outlets and social media platforms, greater collaboration with schools, local authorities, and community groups is essential.
As we mentioned earlier, the Agency has a dedicated directorate responsible for raising awareness and educating the public. It regularly conducts training sessions and fire drills in schools, such as the most recent one held in a school in Gjirokastër. However, improving citizen participation requires stricter penalties for perpetrators and stronger community engagement in the early reporting of fires. In some rural communities, there has been a noticeable increase in resident involvement in promptly reporting fire outbreaks, which has helped emergency response teams intervene more quickly.
On the one hand, public institutions deserve recognition for stepping up their awareness efforts. The National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) is set to launch a comprehensive outreach campaign across all counties, titled “AKMC on Tour”, focused on educating and informing the public.
On the other hand, serious challenges persist. In many rural areas, there is still a lack of basic knowledge about the dangers of fire. Many citizens are unaware of the legal frameworks or the appropriate channels for reporting risks effectively. Furthermore, due to the lack of clear penalties and consistent law enforcement, hazardous practices like open field burning are often passively accepted.
Çako: In case the situation worsens, immediate steps will be taken in accordance with the National Civil Emergency Plan, updated in 2023—one of the three core documents alongside the National Risk Reduction Strategy and the Risk Assessment. All central and local operational structures have clearly defined responsibilities during disasters and respond accordingly. Among the immediate measures that will be undertaken are:
Activation of the National Civil Emergency Plan for natural disasters;
Placing the Armed Forces and supporting state institutions on standby;
Coordinating the evacuation of at-risk populations, in cooperation with the State Police and municipalities;
Requesting international assistance if local capacities are insufficient.
These steps aim to protect the safety of citizens’ lives and property through a swift, coordinated response.
ATA: What is the level of cooperation with the State Police? Have there been any prosecutions or convictions for arson? You’ve mentioned that 99% of the fires are deliberately started — what are the underlying causes, and what measures are being taken to address this issue?
Çako: The State Police, as one of the operational structures within the civil protection system, works in close cooperation with the National Civil Protection Agency in responding to natural disasters, including wildfire situations. This cooperation is ongoing and well-coordinated on a daily basis.
According to reports from local structures, the majority of wildfires are caused by human factors, either as a result of intentional actions or negligence. There have been cases where individuals have been prosecuted for arson, and this approach needs to be further strengthened in order to send a clear and preventive message against any actions that threaten the environment and public safety.
ATA: Are there efforts underway to develop a new legal framework aimed at tightening up the measures against arson?
Çako: Actually, the existing legal framework already defines the necessary measures, including fines and other penalties for arsonists. Our primary focus as an agency continues to be raising public awareness to prevent such fires. That said, increasing criminal penalties for arson causing significant damage, along with strengthening civil protection and forestry authorities on the ground, would further improve our effectiveness—while keeping prevention through enforcement and public education as our core mission.
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