Authorities in Albania report a spread of fires in the coastal city of Shëngjin, while efforts are underway to protect homes and hotels.
Officials have stated that residents near the fire zone have been evacuated, while vacationers are believed to be farther from the affected area.
The flames in Mal Shëngjin started on Saturday afternoon and the fire reignited on Monday morning.
Due to the wind, isolating the fire hotspots is currently impossible.
In a statement from the Lezhë Prefecture on Tuesday morning, it was emphasized that “the fire in the village of Mal Shëngjin is completely out of control”.
According to the announcement, throughout the night, 20 fire trucks with the appropriate personnel operated in an attempt to contain the flames.
In addition to Lezhë, fire trucks have arrived from Mirdita, Tirana, Kamza, Berat, Fier, Lushnja, Vau i Dejës, and Shkodra.
“With the fire trucks and firefighters working to protect homes and hotels, it has been possible so far to ensure that these properties are not affected by the fire,” the Prefecture’s statement said.
The Lezhë Prefecture notes that despite the efforts of all these forces, it is impossible to bring the fire under control, resulting in a threat to many businesses and residential homes.
Acting Minister of Interior Taulant Balla posted on Facebook that the situation is extremely difficult.
“The State Police, through the National Security Force, is evacuating residents,” Balla announced late last night.
A day earlier, the Ministry of Defence of Albania reported that in the past 24 hours, 30 fire hotspots had been verified, of which 22 have been extinguished.
On Monday evening, the fire at the waste collection field on the outskirts of Vlorë, which had been active for several days, was extinguished. The intervention of the army was required to control this fire.
The fire caused large smoke clouds and unpleasant odours that spread throughout the city of Vlorë at the peak of the tourist season.
Authorities have announced that the 1,300 firefighters across the country are struggling to handle the fire situation.
