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Situation Overview
Albania remains locked in a tense battle against multiple wildfires. According to the Ministry of Defense update as of 14:00, 9 active fires continue to burn across the country. Hundreds of operational forces, heavily backed by specialized firefighting helicopters and aircraft, are deployed to contain and isolate the flames across the regions of Tirana, Fier, Durrës, Gjirokastër, Dibër, and Korçë.
- Ground Forces: Over 450 personnel are actively engaged in the primary hotspots, including 260 operational forces, 192 Armed Forces troops, municipal firefighters, police, forestry services, protected area management (ADZM), civil emergency structures, and local volunteers.
- Air Support: 3 Air Force helicopters and 2 specialized Air Tractor firefighting planes are operating intensively from the air.
Most Critical Zones and On-the-Ground Operations
1. Gurë-Lurë (Dibër)
This remains the most problematic and critical zone, hosting one of the largest coordinated field operations.
- Deployment: Over 220 personnel drawn from municipal firefighting, the Armed Forces, State Police, local administration, forestry services, and volunteers.
- Intervention: Two Air Tractor planes are striking the flames from above, while ground firefighters are strategically positioned near residential areas to shield homes from advancing blazes.
2. Dajt (Tirana)
- Operations are ongoing in the areas above the Qafë-Molla tunnels and in Priskë e Madhe. Authorities confirm that there is currently no direct threat to populated residential zones.
3. Drenie (Patos, Fier)
- Ground crews are working to extinguish a flare-up, backed by an additional 30 troops from the Albanian Armed Forces.
4. Krujë (Durrës)
- Operations continue in the Abaze neighborhood, while an Air Force helicopter is deployed in the Bojë neighborhood to protect homes threatened by twin active fire fronts.
5. Përmet and Devoll (Gjirokastër & Korçë Regions)
- Fires are burning along Mount Nëmerçkë and Mount Dhëmbel in Përmet, though they currently pose no danger to nearby houses.
- On Mount Moravë in Devoll, the fire front has been successfully isolated and is being kept under close surveillance.
Core Priorities
The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the absolute priority of all ongoing operations remains saving human lives, protecting residential areas, and driving full containment across all remaining active fire zones in the country.