“We cannot build civil protection solely on the basis of response. We must be just as strong in prevention as we are in response,” Nufi emphasized during his address.

Amid rapid urban development and the construction of increasingly large and complex structures, Nufi highlighted the importance of improving fire safety standards. According to the minister, safety must be taken into account right from the design phase of buildings and structures.

Safety cannot be an afterthought; it must be designed into our systems from the very beginning,” Nufi stressed. Highlighting one of the hottest summers on record, he reported that by September 9, 2026, the civil protection system had responded to 81 major fires. These operations required over 14,600 personnel, nearly 1,350 ground vehicles, and 180 aerial deployments.

“Behind these numbers are the real people—including our military, first responders, and local volunteers—who sacrificed countless hours of hard work to make this happen,” Nufi stated.

He emphasized that the civil protection system, guided by the Law “On Civil Protection,” prioritizes risk reduction, prevention, preparedness, coordination and community resilience.

The minister also underscored the importance of cooperation among institutions, experts and the private sector, noting that fire safety requires clear standards, safe design, proper implementation, effective inspection and the use of modern technologies.

The “Tirana Fire Safety 2026” conference is taking place over two days at the Tirana International Hotel, bringing together international experts, industry professionals, public authorities, engineers, consultants, manufacturers and representatives of the construction sector.

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A total of 183 emergency personnel and 21 firefighting vehicles are responding to the situation, supported by 80 military personnel and two Air Force helicopters.

The main active fires are concentrated in Dajt–Qafë Priskë, where the situation is challenging but residential areas remain safe. In Vajkal, Bulqizë, a fire has consumed over 13 hectares despite heavy containment efforts. The largest blaze is in Lundre, Mat, where an Air Force helicopter has joined ground crews to fight a fire spanning 90 to 100 hectares of forest. Meanwhile, operations continue in Mallunxë, Mat, to extinguish a separate forest fire.

Fires in Qafë e Lugut–Vithkuq and the Qukës mountain remain under close surveillance. Meanwhile, a military helicopter has been deployed to Iballë (Fushë-Arrëz) to monitor the situation, as the extremely rugged terrain remains inaccessible to ground crews.

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A total of 354 operational personnel and 24 firefighting vehicles are managing the situation, backed by the Armed Forces with 155 personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 1 heavy excavator, 3 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft.

The Ministry of Defense appreciated that, despite the difficult terrain and the impact of the wind in some areas, the situation in some of the main outbreaks has improved. Operations continue with a focus on isolating active outbreaks, preventing reactivations and protecting residential areas.

The National Civil Protection Agency is monitoring conditions across the country with local emergency teams. Field crews are ready to act immediately, focusing first on keeping people and homes safe. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

According to him, the fire in Gurë-Lura, Dibër, is now contained thanks to firebreaks. Thirty troops and two Air Tractor planes are still working to put out the remaining flames. There is no danger to nearby homes.

Nufi reported that firefighting operations continue in Pukë’s Tërbun area with 30 military personnel and two helicopters, posing no threat to homes.

In Tirana’s Dajt region, 50 troops and a helicopter are containing the blazes; the Priska fire is controlled and the Vakumone outbreak is fully isolated with no danger to residents.

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Defense Minister Ermal Nufi shared footage today of ongoing aerial and ground efforts to extinguish the stubborn blazes in difficult terrain.

Minister Nufi reported that firefighting operations are ongoing across several active fronts, though no residential areas are currently at risk.

On Mount Dajti in Tirana, 50 Armed Forces personnel and two Air Force helicopters are deployed.

In Lufaj, Mirdita, nine personnel and two firefighting vehicles are on the scene, while 40 Armed Forces members are actively working in Fushë-Lajë, Puka.

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Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi shared today footage today’s of aerial firefighting operations against active blazes.

Meanwhile, Nufi also highlighted the coordination of the joint air and ground operations to contain 29 wildfire outbreaks reported nationwide over the past 24 hours. Of these, 11 remain active, 3 are under close monitoring and 4 have been brought under control.

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Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi said that on the ground, there have been deployed 274 Armed Forces personnel, 21 vehicles, one water tanker, three ambulances and nine fire engines. From the air, three helicopters and two Air Tractor planes dropped water to isolate the fires, put them out and protect nearby homes since early morning.

“The safety of citizens remains the main priority”, emphasized Nufi, adding that the engagement of the Armed Forces, under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency, will continue without interruption until the situation is completely calm. /gj.m/j.p/r.e/p.s./

The Media and Information Agency reported that blazes in Dajti, Priska, Berat (Kostren 2), and Peqin (Uruç) are fully extinguished.

Fires in Kavaja (Çikallesh), Mallakastra, and Klos (Plan i Bardhë) are isolated and stable, while crews still work to put out a final active fire in Memaliaj (Alikomemaj) under National Agency of Civil Protection coordination. /m.q/r.e/p.s./

Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency Haki Çako made the statement during the annual report to the Committee on Internal Affairs and Defense.

“Throughout 2025, the Agency pursued its mission in strict alignment with the Defense Directive, focusing heavily on enhancing and modernizing Albania’s civil protection capabilities,” said Çako, emphasizing that the priority remained focused on disaster risk management, local regulatory development and the digitalization of civil emergencies.

According to him, in 2025, 2,743 wildfires swept through the country, burning an estimated 62,000 hectares of vital forests and pastures.

“Firefighting efforts mobilized over 30,000 personnel and 2,200 vehicles, alongside two Air Force helicopters that completed more than 120 missions,” Çako stated.

The head of the Agency also underlined that Albania has continued to play an active role in the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

“We have signed cooperation agreements with Italy, Greece, Sweden, and Finland and secured international assistance through the European emergency response mechanism,” he said.

In 2025, Çako said, “There was invested in 11 infrastructure developments, 42 vehicle and equipment upgrades and five dam rehabilitation initiatives to enhance safety and mitigate natural disaster risks.”

“The agency will continue its efforts to strengthen local capacities, modernize response systems and align legislation with European Union standards, in order to protect life, property and the environment,” concluded Çako. /e.xh/a.f/p.s./

Minister Jaupaj wrote about the meeting in a post in the social media, where he emphasized that during the meeting it was reiterated that environmental protection is a shared, cross-border responsibility.”

According to him, the discussions focused on cross-border cooperation in Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, as well as joint fire management, biodiversity monitoring, strengthening institutional capacities and exchanging experience on the path towards European membership for both countries.

“This is a partnership that serves not only our shared ecosystems, but also the communities that live near them, turning nature protection into a real opportunity for sustainable development”, underlined Minister Jaupaj. /a.f/r.e/p.s./