Wildfires in Albania continue to rage, mainly in the south of the country.
The village of Gjorm in Vlora has been badly impacted by fires resulting in several homes and apartments being burned. Furthermore, hundreds of hectares of land are reported as having been destroyed. Journalists on the ground said the fire was being fanned by strong winds which were preventing helicopters from intervening from above.
Residents have been evacuated from the village and are said to be desperate for intervention to protect their property from the flames.
As of the early afternoon, only one fire engine was on the scene as others were focused on fighting the fires in Karaburun. Journalists reported that the army is also focused on the Karaburun fire to prevent it from reaching the Llogora. National Park. Therefore the evacuation of residents was done by local authorities. They added that the fire was impossible to keep under control and has already destroyed hundreds of olive trees.
Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi arrived on the scene during mid-afternoon accompanied by 40 troops. He told the media it was a “difficult situation” in Gjorm and that some residents were remaining in the village.
He added that the situation was improving but that material damage was severe. So far there are no reported injuries.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also commented on the situation in Gjorm, saying that operational forces are increasing in the area and that for now, homes are not at risk. The main priority, he said, remains the evacuation of residents.
News24 Journalist Enrik Mehmetaj said that some fires are starting up again, after having been previously extinguished. He noted that the main fires were in Gjorma and Selenica. In Selenica the flames are approaching houses and the fire has alreeady burned a significant amount of the mountain. Smoke has reached the city of Vlora, some kilometers away.
In terms of the fire approaching Llogora, he said they cannot be extinguished due to the current winds and that the blaze is continuing to close in on the boundaries of the park.
A fire has also been reported in Vithkuq in Korce where it is approaching the Monastery of St Peter. It’s reported that until now, three hectares of land have been destroyed but that the flames are spreading rapidly. Firefighters are on the scene trying to prevent the spread to the Monastery that is a cultural monument.
