Fire situation across the country

Published: Friday, 16 August 2024 13:25

 

Fire situation in the country as of August 16, 2024, 10:30 AM:

Over the past 24 hours, 29 fire outbreaks have been reported across various regions of the country. Of these, 15 have been extinguished and brought under control, while 14 remain active but are being continuously monitored.

The most problematic fires are currently in mountainous areas, forests, and pastures, far from populated centers. These include fires on Mount Tomorr, Mali i Thatë in Prespa, the Bjeshkët e Bolotekut, and Mount Tërnovë in Bulqizë.

To fully contain and extinguish these fires, 320 firefighters, 238 military personnel, 250 local civil emergency structures, 120 Protected Areas administration staff, 187 members of the Forest Service, and 130 volunteers have been mobilized.

The Air Force and aerial assets are on full alert. Today, both local and central operational structures are focused on extinguishing and containing the remaining active fires, with aerial support continuing from the Romanian team.

We commend the increased efforts of the State Police in identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for starting these fires. We urge the judiciary to strictly enforce the law against anyone found guilty of these criminal acts that endanger the lives of citizens, property, the environment, and cultural values.

We call on all citizens, especially farmers, to act responsibly during this period of extreme heat. Early intervention and adherence to legal procedures for fire management are crucial. Most of the fires in inhabited areas result from the irresponsibility of farmers in lighting and managing fires, in addition to criminal cases, which are under investigation by the authorities.

The Ministry of Defense, the National Civil Protection Agency, and all civil defense institutions and structures will continue to monitor the situation without interruption, engaging all available national and international capacities as needed.