TIRANA, July 22 /ATA/ – Albania’s Civil Protection Committee has stepped up nationwide preparedness measures to tackle the growing threat of wildfires, as high temperatures persist across the country.
Defense Minister Pirro Vengu said Tuesday that, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha, and Health and Social Protection Minister Albana Koçiu, the Committee convened to mobilize all civil emergency response structures at the national level.
“With high temperatures forecast throughout the week, and as firefighting efforts continue across the country, we laid out a coordinated action plan with the heads of institutions, prefects, and the mayors of the municipalities most at risk of wildfires,” Vengu stated.
Defense Minister announced an increase in local force readiness, enhanced vigilance, and round-the-clock terrain monitoring in all municipalities to ensure immediate reporting. Firefighting units will also be strategically positioned in high-risk zones to reduce response times.
Aerial firefighting efforts will continue, with priority given to populated areas and protected natural zones, Vengu said, adding that Albania will coordinate with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to secure additional resources if needed.
The Civil Protection Committee is Albania’s highest permanent authority responsible for coordinating interagency emergency measures and mobilizing entities involved in disaster response, including the Armed Forces, State Police, National Emergency Services, Forestry and Protected Area Agencies, Transport Authorities, and meteorological services.
/k.s/u.sh/
