On the hottest day of the year, Tirana was surrounded by fires. From Dajti, where flames appeared near the Selita water factory and above the Qafë-Molla tunnels, to Priskë e Madhe, where the fire spread towards Gurrë, Farkë and Lundë, the fires approached the capital.
In Dajt, firefighters and protected area structures, supported by two Air Force helicopters, are engaged in extinguishing the fire in the pine forest. Authorities say there is currently no danger to residential areas.
In Priska e Madhe, the intervention is continuing from the ground and air, while the fire has spread towards Gurra, Farka and Lundra.
12 active foci
The flames have returned to Kruja. After the massive fire that threatened residential areas a few days ago, the hearth in the Abaze neighborhood continues to be active. The Armed Forces and air vehicles are once again on the ground to contain the spread of the flames and protect homes.
In Krastë and Halil, forces from the protected areas, municipal structures and members of the Armed Forces are operating.
The fire continues to advance in Lura, one of the most beautiful forest areas in Albania. In Gura-Lura, a large-scale operation is underway from the ground and air, involving firefighters, municipal forces, the State Police, the forest service, protected area structures, civil emergencies and volunteers. There are also 50 members of the Armed Forces on the ground, while two “Air Tractor” aircraft are intervening from the air.
45 fires in 24 hours
The situation is similar in other areas of the country. According to the Ministry of Defense, 45 fires have been reported across the country in the last 24 hours. Of these, 12 remain active, while another is under monitoring.
In Patos-Mallakastër, in the Drenie–Lofkënd–Ngracie area, the operation continues with firefighting and military forces.
In Përmet, two hotbeds are active on Mount Nëmërçka and Mount Dhëmbel, while in Gurë-Lurë of Dibra, a ground and air operation is underway, supported by two “Air Tractor” aircraft.
Active fires are also reported on the Morava mountain in Devoll, in some areas of Mirdita and in Vau i Dejës. In Vilëz i Kurbinit, the fire has been placed under monitoring after intervention from the ground and air.
To cope with the situation, according to the Ministry of Defense, 839 operational forces and 72 firefighting vehicles have been engaged in the operations of the last 24 hours. 250 Armed Forces personnel, 5 helicopters and 2 “Air Tractor” aircraft have also been deployed in support.
“The problem starts long before the flames appear”
Forestry engineer Abdulla Diku says that this summer’s fires are not an unexpected situation, but a repetition of the same problem. According to him, forests and fire protection have not been treated seriously, while continuous preventive measures are lacking.
“The problem starts long before the flames appear ,” says Diku, listing the lack of patrolling in high-risk areas, clearing of protective belts, control of dry vegetation, maintenance of forest roads and water supply points.
He also raises questions about the lack of awareness campaigns among citizens, farmers, shepherds, and visitors to natural areas about the risk of fires and the responsibilities that the law entails.
Another problem, according to the engineer, is the lack of continuous field monitoring, technical forestry personnel, and the systematic use of satellite data and drones.
In this picture, Diku also sees law enforcement as a weak link. Burning agricultural waste during the dry season is prohibited by law, but according to him, the ban continues to be violated.
In this situation, the bulk of the burden falls on firefighters. They face the flames in difficult and high-risk terrain, while the state measures the success of the operation by the number of forces and vehicles sent to the field.
But, as engineer Abdulla Diku points out, the heroism of firefighters cannot replace a functional fire prevention and management system.
/Faktoje.al