Fire situation in Albania

Published: Sunday, 18 August 2024 13:24

 

Fire situation in the country, August 18, 2024, 11:00 a.m..

In the past 24 hours, there has been a significant improvement in the fire situation across the country, thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of both local and central Civil Defense operational teams.

Out of 53 reported fires, 47 have been successfully extinguished and brought under control, while 6 active fire spots are under continuous monitoring by our field teams.

Currently, fires in the Mountains of Bollotek and above the village of Tërnove remain active but are not threatening citizens or their properties.

Recent operations have involved 307 firefighters, 130 military personnel, 58 State Police officers, 155 local government civil emergency workers, 55 staff from the Protected Areas administration, 32 Forestry Service members, and 151 volunteers.

The assistance from the Spartan aircraft from Romania has been crucial in isolating the problematic fire spots.

Given the high temperatures, we urge all citizens, especially farmers, to avoid lighting fires under any circumstances and to report any fire incidents immediately to the relevant authorities.

We stress that starting fires is a criminal offense and will be prosecuted according to the law. Those responsible for these acts will be held accountable for the threats they pose to lives, property, the environment, and our cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Defense, the National Civil Defense Agency and all related institutions will continue to monitor the situation closely and deploy all necessary resources at both the national and international levels to ensure the safety and protection of our citizens.