Defence Minister Niko Peleshi inspected the situation in the Pishë Poro-Darëzë forest massif.
Mr. Peleshi described this as one of the most critical wild fire, which requires intensive work for its complete isolation.
"This is a very difficult wild fire and surprisingly at the end of the season. It is not usual to have fires in this period. The special thing is that in these areas the wind favors, which blows in different directions, it is the vegetation that disadvantages the battle with this wild fire. At the moment, the wild fires are not activated, but very dangerous, as the wind blows they are reactivated. There are numerous forces from many municipalities, starting from Tirana, Dimali, Durrës, Berat, Vlora. In total there are 500 troops, 200 only from the Armed Forces engaged in total. There are about 30 vehicles, fire brigades from the Poshnjë Battalion." - said Minister Peleshi, when asked by journalists.
He explained that undoubtedly the effective work of the Armed Forces is important, but the municipalities are on the front line. He thanked the European Civil Protection Mechanism and Greece for responding to the request of the Civil Protection Agency of Albania, bringing two Canadair aircraft for aerial intervention in this wild fire.
"More important than anything else is alertness near the wild fires, saving the life of our troops. Fortunately we don't have a residential area near here. There is a restaurant and another one in Pishporo, but fire truck are stationed there. So we have guaranteed the safety of people's lives and property. Undoubtedly, nature is also a precious asset. There is damage done. Let's hope that we have finally brought it under control." - added the Defence Minister.
Mr. Peleshi emphasized that the European Civil Protection Mechanism has been asked to continue supporting until the final extinction of this fire.
"We have requested that the European Civil Protection Mechanism, where our country is a member with full rights, continue to support us.
It is not late as an intervention. We have reacted as soon as we have evaluated that an intervention from the air is needed. There has been created a mentality. As soon as we see a fire, we look for the helicopter. But there are fires such fires, where the most important is the work on the ground of firefighting equipment. Just throwing water is not enough. It is not late, in the sense that we missed it. We have been in charge of the work, we have asked for it when we judged it to be necessary." - explained the Defence Minister.
