TIRANA, Aug. 24 /ATA/ – Wildfire situation has improved across Albania, with 18 fires reported by 2 p.m. on Monday, of which five remained active and seven were under surveillance, the Defence Ministry said.
A total of 216 operational personnel and eight firefighting vehicles were deployed, while the Armed Forces provided 70 personnel, a firefighting vehicle, a heavy excavator and two helicopters.
The main operation was under way on Mount Dajti, near the capital city of Tirana, involving 30 Armed Forces personnel and 30 firefighters, backed by helicopter support. Despite difficult terrain, no threat to populated areas has been reported.
The situation in northern region of Puka had improved significantly, with fires in Gjegjan, Gojan i Vogël and Gojan i Madh fully extinguished.
Fires in Ballenjë and Qafa e Helmës in north-eastern region of Dibër remained active but posed no threat to populated areas, while fires in Bërshi, Lufaj and Shtuf had been extinguished.
Several other sites in Elbasan and Vlorë remained under monitoring. A new fire was reported on Mount Luzat in Tepelenë, southern Albania, where local firefighters were working to contain it.
Civil protection authorities remained deployed across the country to extinguish active fires, monitor affected areas and prevent flare-ups.
/gj.m/ /a.g/u.sh/
