Thus, the troops from the Southern Infantry Regiment are containing blazes in Mallakastra, while the Northern Infantry Regiment’s Third Battalion is defending homes in the village of Plan, Klos.

The operations were conducted in coordination with local teams and Civil Emergency services, with the aim of managing the situation and protecting the affected communities.

Working alongside civil emergency services, the military said it remains on high alert to protect local communities. /p.s./

Firefighting teams are actively containing a fire near Dajti with no threat to homes, while crews in Mallakastra isolate another blaze using ground and air units, safely evacuating four families. Elbasan operations near complete containment also pose no residential risk. In total, approximately 34.5 hectares of vegetation and forest have burned, with assessments ongoing.

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Crews on the ground and a firefighting helicopter are working hard to control the fire in Riban, said Mallakastra’s mayor Qerim Ismailaj. He thanked the Civil Emergencies team and local workers for protecting the area. He also asked residents to be careful, avoid starting fires, and report smoke right away.

Meanwhile, it is reported that police evacuated 15 families, along with their livestock and pets, as flames approached residential areas to ensure everyone’s safety.

Recent high temperatures have triggered multiple wildfires. The Ministry of Defense reports that 727 personnel were deployed over the past 24 hours to manage 20 active fire outbreaks across various regions.

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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla stated that this market represents a missing link and a necessary step to connect local production with the consumer, under appropriate trading conditions.

According to the minister, this market is a guarantee for “Made in Albania” products, especially in the threshold of Christmas and New Year holidays, through offering concrete support to local farmers and producers.

He emphasized that the initiative sends a crystal clear signal that with more organization, mechanization and institutional support, Albanian production can grow and compete worthily in European markets.

Farmer Xhavai Avdia, engaged in raising turkeys, stated that the livestock market is a great help for farmers because it provides appropriate trading conditions and standards.

For his part, Ilir Sula, a producer of olive oil and medicinal herbs, highlighted the significance of the market for both domestic trade and the promotion of exports.

He stressed that Albanian products are preferred in foreign markets.

“Two years ago we were exporting to Italy, while today we are exporting to North Macedonia. If we get mechanized further, we can compete in international markets,” said Sula, positively assessing the impact of the new market for development of the agricultural sector. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

The minister wrote in the social media that within the framework of the project “EU for economic development – ​​Local economic development through tourism with a focus on cultural heritage”, there were held two open meetings with Mallakastra community, with the purpose of acquainting the community with the engagement actions and training proposals of the project.

During the meetings, there was presented the community mapping activity, which will include the territory in the coming months. The participants were included in group discussions on the resources of the territory and the future vision for Mallakastra area. Also during the meetings, there was presented the course for local tourist guides, which will be offered to young people in the area in the coming months.

The meetings were coordinated by the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development (AICS), in collaboration with Emilia-Romagna Region and ART-ER, as well as in coordination with Municipality of Mallakastra. /j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media a view of the construction site, which will give an additional opportunity for the further development of Mallakastra.

Investment in road infrastructure will promote development of agro-tourism enterprises for the entire area where this road passes.

The investment is expected to be completed by spring 2026 and will affect development of the local economy.

During the works, it is also expected the project to be subject to improve with changes from which there will benefit the local residents of the area that will also be connected with small road segments.

Currently, there are 40 heavy vehicles working on this construction site and there are expectations for a good progress of the works.

Part of the road project is also the construction of sidewalks, as well as equipment of the road with lighting and signage. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Mayor of Mallkastra Qerim Ismailaj said during an inspection of this road a few days ago, where the political leader of Fier region Taulant Balla was also present, that this segment is planned along with other road segments to be rehabilitated by Mallakastra municipality’s budget during the period 2023-2024.

Qerimaj said that work is currently underway on other segments in Mallkastra, which are expected to be completed by April 2, to continue with other road segments that are expected to be put on tender during 2024.

Ismailaj said that there is also work on the reconstruction of the second most important center which is Fratari.

Balla said that, “The school is the good news for Fratari this year. It is a very large investment of the state budget, which will make a school even in Fratar with the best standards, the same like a school in the center of Tirana”.

Ismailaj underlined that the Municipality of Mallakastra, with the support of the Albanian government, will continue implementation of other projects, with the aim of facilitating the living of the local residents and the development of Mallakastra./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected today the works at the construction site of the new road, eagerly awaited by the residents of this area, as it will give economic and social breathing to all the residential centers near which the road passes.

“This is a road that connects the regions of Fier and Vlora, but that has a lot of value, touristic value because it connects three of the pearls of Albanian archaeology. It connects Bylis, Amantia and Apollonia. But, it was also a necessary economic route because Gorishta is a large producer of oil and actually there continues the extraction of oil. In the meantime, it connects this whole area, it connects Pocemi and Mallakastra with the Vlora River road, and it cuts the travel distance of this whole area to the coast more quickly” – said the local MP Taulant Balla.

The project envisages, among other things, the repair of existing bridges, as well as illuminated sidewalks in residential areas.

PM Rama said that agri-tourism is an important perspective for the area and the new road will make it easily accessible./p.s./