TIRANA, Aug 14 /ATA/ – The Minister of Defence said on Thursday that Albania’s wildfire situation had improved after days of intense firefighting efforts, though 29 of 57 reported blazes remain active.
Thousands of emergency personnel, soldiers, local volunteers and foreign aircraft are deployed across the country to contain the fires, which have threatened homes and forest reserves during hot, windy weather.
The worst-affected areas include the southern regions of Vlorë, Berat and Gjirokastër, as well as mountainous areas of Dibër, Elbasan, Shkodër and Kukës.
In several villages, helicopters from the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Slovakia supported ground crews to prevent flames from spreading to inhabited areas.
In Berat, 20 residents were evacuated on Wednesday as high winds fanned flames near homes, but officials said there is currently no immediate threat to settlements. Fires also remain under control near Tirana’s outskirts, where crews worked through the night to protect residential areas.
Operations continue in protected forest zones such as Korab-Koritnik National Park in the north and Gërmenj in the southeast, where explosions from old munitions complicated firefighting efforts.
According to the ministry, 65 fire engines, more than 1,100 emergency personnel and 409 military troops are on the ground, assisted by three Albanian military helicopters and eight foreign aircraft, including an Italian Canadair water bomber.
Authorities say monitoring will continue as strong winds could reignite hotspots despite progress in containing most of the blazes.
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