The fires in the Vadhiza area remained active and spread rapidly towards Levan and the Peshtan i Vogël area, fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures.

Several homes, a warehouse producing beehives and a business were damaged, local media reported. In the Qafa e Koshovicës area, flames approached several restaurants and an unoccupied house caught fire.

Firefighters from Fier, Mallakaster, Lushnja, Vlora and Berat were deployed alongside police and emergency services. Two helicopters were also used to tackle the most difficult hotspots, while ground crews continued efforts to contain the flames.

The fire also reached the Fier-Levan national road, temporarily disrupting traffic because of dense smoke and the risk to motorists.

About 15 families were evacuated as flames approached residential areas, with police monitoring threatened zones and assisting residents, authorities said.

Health teams were also placed on full alert. Nine doctors and nurses from the Levan Health Centre and two ambulances staffed by medical personnel from Fier Regional Hospital were deployed to the area, the Health and Social Welfare Ministry said.

Three people had so far been treated for symptoms of smoke inhalation, Health Ministry said. Medical authorities had also coordinated with Fier Memorial Hospital to ensure rapid specialised treatment in case of cardiac emergencies.

Firefighting and emergency teams remained deployed as strong winds continued to hamper efforts to bring the fires under control.

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