Fire crews and a helicopter are battling the blaze in difficult terrain, hindered by high temperatures above 40°C and strong winds near residential areas.

Local reports indicate that four to five firefighter crews are working to put out the fire. The blaze is on a hillside near several homes. /p.s./

Meanwhile, the crews of these helicopters have constantly done military training to carry out troop transport or medical evacuations in cases of civil emergencies.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today moments from the training of the Black Hawk helicopter soldiers.

After investing in the upgrade of the infrastructure, the Farka Base offers all the facilities not only for carrying out maintenance work on Black Hawk helicopters, but also improving working conditions for pilots and technicians.

Albanian pilots have been trained by US allies to build capacities and develop skills for the use of Black Hawk helicopters, which are now part of the Albanian air fleet. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

In a statement to the media, Çuko said that the sandy terrain has made the work of firefighting vehicles difficult, thus assistance was requested from the Ministry of Defense, which immediately made the “Cougar” helicopter available. Actually, the helicopter is contributing from the air to extinguish the flames.

“The damage has not been estimated yet. Today, due to the difficult wind conditions, the firefighters in the sandy terrain could not make any significant progress and so we requested the assistance of the Air Force from the Ministry of Defense, which responded immediately to help stop the fire, bringing in the helicopter,” said Çuko.

The prefect also said that work is underway on cleaning forest roads in order to facilitate access for firefighters to intervene in cases of fire.

When asked by reporters about the causes of the fire, he said that, “The police are increasing their investigative and preventive measures in this regard.”

In the area affected by the flames, there are firefighting forces from Fier, Patos, Roskovec, as well as forestry employees, who are involved in stopping the spread of the fire. /p.s./

Defense Minister Pirro Vengu stated in the social media that these young people are doing practice in context of the Military Helicopter Pilot Training Course, which according to Minister Vengu brings “modernization, investment in human capacity and dignified treatment for them”.

“The Armed Forces, always evolving”, Minister Vengu wrote.

One of the lieutenants, Mikel Musabelli, said that he is currently a student at the Military Helicopter Course at the Farka Air Base.

“This has been my dream, but given that before the opportunities were not so numerous in Albania, the recent military helicopter pilot course was introduced as a novelty. So, there was the opportunity for me to follow my dream”, he said.

Lieutenant Musabelli emphasized that he has already completed the theoretical part of the training course on the ground and is currently working on the practical part. “My ambition is to become one of the best pilots at Farka Air Base and to continue my career with one of the largest helicopters, the Cougar and the Black Hawk,” said Musabelli. /p.s./

The Ministry of Defense reported that, together with employees of the relevant local structures, fire engines, the operational forces have focused their efforts on keeping the fire away from the houses in the villages of Xhuxhe, Shengjin and Petoq of Fan municipal unit, on the road that leads to Shengjin.

The firefighter teams from the municipalities of Tirana and Kamza are also assisting these forces with their means.

Other forces are making efforts to isolate the other 5 active fires in Kurbin, Kukës, Vlora, Shkodra and Korça, where the situation is under control. /p.s./

In addition to the firefighter teams of the local government, the Cougar helicopter of the Armed Forces was engaged in extinguishing the flames, but as a result of the strong wind, the fire spread, endangering the residential areas and the local businesses.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed that timely measures were taken for their evacuation, making it possible to avoid any danger.

“Yesterday, 20 fire engines operated throughout the night with 60 fire brigades. While today, in addition to the Cougar helicopter, 40 firefighting vehicles and 150 operational forces are working,” the report of the Ministry of Defense states.

Following the request to the European Civil Defense Mechanism, two Canadair planes are expected to arrive very soon for air intervention.

The Ministry of Defense said that the situation continues to remain problematic despite all the commitment at the national level.

“We call on the local residents to cooperate with the police and firefighters in case of evacuation. Thanks to our European Civil Protection Mechanism partners for their help! The work is continuing in several other fire spots that are active in the districts of Korça, Shkodra, Gjirokastra, Elbasan”, the report stated.

Minister of the Interior Taulant Balla wrote in the social media that, “Shengjini is facing a very critical situation”. According to him, “Firefighters and the army are making efforts on the ground and from the air, while two firefighting planes from Italy are also arriving. The State Police is also engaged through the National Security Force in the evacuation of residents and tourists, in case of need,” Balla underlined. /m.m/p.s./

Defense Minister Niko Peleshi said that the flames have engulfed a large area of ​​forest.

“The strong wind and the mountainous terrain have made difficult the efforts of the firefighters on the ground, so there was requested intervention from the air”, he said.

For several days, due to the heat waves, several areas of Albania have been engulfed by fires. The situation appears most problematic in the villages of Sofratike, Terihat, Goricë, Frashtan, Lugar and Grapsh, in the municipality of Dropull, Southern Albania. /r.e/p.s./

The Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi announced that the blaze has also spread to nearby villages of Pecë and Kardhikaq in Finiq Municipality.

Sharing images of the ongoing operations to extinguish the wildfires, Defence Minister Peleshi said that under coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency, Armed Forces members have joined  local firefighters and emergency crews in the municipalities of Finiq, Delvine, Sarande, Dropull, Gjirokaster and Permet to stabilize the situation triggered by the flames that broke out a day ago.

/r.e/u.sh/

The Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi said that a “Cougar” helicopter and servicemen are trying to extinguish the blaze that broke out in the area overlooking the villages of Sofratike, Terihat, Goricë, Frashtan, Lugar and Grapsh, to protect local residents and their properties.

Defence Minister announced that firefighters, State Police and local emergency crews are fighting the flames.

/r.e/u.sh/

Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi said that the first mission was the one at the Çika Mount, where an employee of the water supply enterprise of the municipality of Himara was injured.

“Another case was that of a woman with heart problems in Himara.”With the help of the medical team, it was possible to evacuate the two citizens to the hospital without any problems”, Peleshi emphasized in a post on social media.

“The helicopter crew transported from Peja Pass to the hospital of Shkodra even a German tourist, who had suffered a fracture while exploring the area”, said Peleshi, who also attached videos to his post from these rescue operations./p.s./