TIRANA, Aug. 15 /ATA/ – Albania has recorded 23 wildfires across the country, 13 of which remained active as of 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Defence Ministry said.
A total of 317 operational personnel and 32 firefighting vehicles were deployed, supported by 120 armed forces personnel, two firefighting vehicles, two helicopters and two Air Tractor aircraft.
In Mount Dajti near Tirana, firefighting operations continued above the Qafë-Molla tunnels, supported by 50 armed forces personnel and two helicopters. There was no threat to populated areas, the ministry said.
A major operation was also under way in Gurë-Lurë, Dibër, where firebreaks were being opened to prevent the flames from spreading towards homes. Some 150 municipal workers, police, civil protection and armed forces personnel, supported by two Air Tractor aircraft, were deployed. About 200 hectares of pine forest have been burned, with no current threat to residents.
Fires were also active in parts of Krujë, Mirditë, Pukë, Gjirokastër, Vlorë and Librazhd. Authorities said there was no immediate threat to populated areas in most affected locations.
The National Civil Protection Agency said it was coordinating firefighting efforts nationwide through its National Emergency Operations Centre, with ground and air resources deployed as needed.
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