Two people have been arrested over the weekend for intentionally setting fire to agricultural land, following one of the worst wildfire seasons in Albanian history in summer 2021.
A 57-year-old man was arrested in Orikum near Vlore after he deliberately set fire to a field. He was arrested for “destruction of property with fire”. The blaze destroyed an expanse of land featuring wild plants and bushes.
In Tirana County, a 60-year-old man was arrested in the village of Maknor for setting fire to another expanse of land. This fire ravaged a field and part of the forest of Maknor. He was charged with “destruction of property with fire” and “destruction by fire in negligence of forests and forest environment”.
It is a common practice in Albania for farmers to set fire to land to clear it ready to use. Unfortunately, high winds and a lack of proper precautions often leads to the fire growing and destroying large swathes of countryside.
Last summer and early autumn, large parts of the country raged with hundreds of forest fires reported over the course of several months. Increased temperatures and a lack of rain further exacerbated the situation.
One of the most concerning took place on the Karaburun Peninsula protected area and threatened the Llogara National Park. Throughout blazes in other parts of the country, two people lost their lives.
A study published in 2013 recommended that the government improve the network of forest roads to create fire-prevention boundaries. They also said that firefighters should be provided with the necessary equipment to fight blazes in difficult-to-reach areas. More training should be provided to firefighters, and the capacity of volunteer fighters should also be improved.
It also suggested that changes to existing laws be enacted and that coordination and collaboration between institutions and organizations should be bettered.
The Albanian government is aware of the risks that are presented by wildfires. There is also ample data on historic fires, problematic areas, and trends that have occurred in recent years. Preventative measures are considered by far the best approach, yet despite warnings since 2013, little has been done in terms of implementation.
Meanwhile, confusion and a lack of transparency around the use of helicopters and firefighting resources remain a concern.
Exit Explains: Wildfires, Prevention, Propaganda, and the Use of Helicopters in Albania
