This year across Albania, wildfires scorched around 57,000 hectares of forests and pastures — 22% more land compared to 2024.

The annual report of the National Environmental Agency states:
“Forests are expected to be significantly affected by future climate changes,” which could bring more fires, fewer forests, and consequently — a reduction in forested areas.

According to environmental expert Valbona Mazreku, 2025 marks an increase in the burned surface area in the country compared to 2024.
“A simple calculation shows around 22 or 23 percent. That means the burned area has increased from 2024 to 2025. This figure is also supported by data we have obtained from international platforms,” she said.

As for the causes, Mazreku points to climatic conditions that fueled the rise in wildfires.
“It has been a very hot summer — dry air, constantly rising temperatures, no rainfall — and in a way, it created a suitable environment for these fires to break out,” she added.

The expert considers citizen cooperation essential in assisting firefighting forces, since they still lack adequate infrastructure.
“It requires a certain level of citizen engagement, and this is what is missing — the awareness and involvement of the public,” Mazreku emphasized.

Regarding the damages caused by the fires, she says they are difficult to calculate.
“Environmental damage is always hard to measure, because it is tied to the services provided by the forest ecosystem — things that are not easy to quantify,” she explained.

Over the last five years, more than 153,000 hectares of forests and pastures have been burned in Albania.
According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, the year with the least damage was 2023, when only 5,500 hectares were destroyed.