Albania continues to be gripped by wildfires this August. Flames have burned large areas of vegetation, shrubs and forests across many parts of the country, from north to south. The situation has changed continuously, as some fires have been contained or extinguished while others have reignited.
According to the Ministry of Defence’s update of 12 August, 25 wildfires had been reported over the previous 24 hours, 9 of which remained active. According to the Ministry, 395 operational personnel from firefighting units and 167 military personnel were involved in firefighting operations, supported by 41 fire engines, 3 helicopters and 2 rented Air Tractor aircraft, in the absence of firefighting aircraft for civil emergencies that had been promised for purchase the previous year.
Where have the fires occurred?
One of the most affected areas has been Mallakastër, particularly Rriban and Ngraçan. On 6 August, the Ministry of Defence announced that the situation was moving towards containment following interventions from both the ground and the air. During the same period, wildfires were also reported in Dajt, Shqiponjë, Mount Dardha, Mjekës, Berat, Dibër and Gjirokastër.
The situation in Mallakastër worsened again following the fires of the previous days. Police reported the evacuation of several families as the flames spread towards residential areas, with strong winds helping the fire advance towards the villages of Hekal, Panahor, Rriban and Ngraçan.
A similarly serious situation continued for the fourth day in a row in Krujë, where a fire in the Abaze neighbourhood spread towards the mountain and threatened residential areas. Partial evacuations were carried out as a precaution.
Other wildfires have been reported in Drenie in Patos, Dajt, Priskë e Madhe, Mount Nemërçkë, Mount Dhëmbel and Gurë-Lurë in Dibër.
Situation in Lurë
One of the most problematic fires is in Lurë, Dibër County. According to an update published on 12 August, the fires are burning wooded areas in the forests of Lurë. The Ministry of Defence said that around 220 personnel, including firefighters and military forces, as well as 2 Air Tractor aircraft, had been deployed to combat the blaze.
So far, more than 10 aerial firefighting missions have been carried out in the area, while the fires remain active.
What caused the fires?
For most of the fires, no precise cause has been made public.
In Krujë, the State Police identified a suspected individual. A 73-year-old man was arrested on suspicion that, on 8 August, he had lit a fire near his home to burn grass. The flames then went out of control and, aided by the wind, spread towards Mount Krujë and nearby residential areas.
High temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds have contributed to the spread of the fires and, in many cases, have made the flames more difficult to bring under control.
How has the situation been managed?
Wildfire response efforts have been coordinated between the National Civil Protection Agency, the Ministry of Defence, prefectures, municipalities, firefighting services, the Armed Forces, the State Police, forestry structures, the National Agency of Protected Areas and residents of the affected areas.
However, despite interventions from both the ground and the air, the deployment of hundreds of firefighters and military personnel, and the use of helicopters and rented aircraft, the situation remains difficult.
According to a 2024 study by the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism (ACQJ), some Albanian municipalities were still using fire engines manufactured in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Recent footage also appears to show that fire engines in many cities remain relatively old.
On 31 July 2026, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that 14 new fire engines were being manufactured by TIMAK, while acknowledging that the country’s current capacities remain insufficient.
What are the consequences?
According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), reported up to 10 August, 18 major wildfires had been recorded in Albania, affecting around 2,297 hectares of land since the beginning of the year.
The fires have burned forests, shrubs, pastures and other areas of vegetation, while also threatening homes and private property.
A particular concern is Lurë, where the fire has affected an area of high natural value.
The full extent of the economic and environmental damage has not yet been determined, as several fires remain active. Nevertheless, preliminary estimates suggest that the damage caused by the burning of thousands of hectares of vegetation and forests across the country amounts to several million euros.
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