Albania under fires. The country doesnt have the necessary capacities to face the situation.

Even today, Albania has continued to burn. The situation of fires is of a high intensity. There are 17-25 active wildfires. Despite the critical situation the country is not in the state of emergency. Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania continue una bated the fight against wildfires. Firefighters, military personnel and local authorities have been fighting dozens of wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of hectares of forests, pastures, vineyards and olive groves across Albania since the beginning of this summer. At present four are the most problematic and critical wildfires: In Dukat in Vlore district, Kraste Hill in Elbasan, Llogara National Park and on Dajti Mountainin Tirana, said on thursday General Director of Civil Emergencies, Shemsi Prençi. Director Prenci underlined that the situation remains critical so two helicopters from Italy and Greece are expected to get rid of fires in four critical fireplaces where the flames have continued for several days. Around 360 military forces, 19 means, 13 firefighting vehicles as well as ambulances are engaged during the last 24 hours in Tirana, Vlore and Elbasan counties. The Ministry of Defense informs that the army's troops remainin alert ready to help the firefighters. Around 130 military back up forces are on standby to intervene at any time. After so many days of "fight" against fires, albanian authorities they have felt the need for help from outside. At last according the Minister of Interior, Demiraj have sought assistance from the neighbors and NATO, because “The country doesn't have the necessary capacities to face the situation”, as he said. Civil Emergencies Department declared that 15 fires are blazing over past 24 hours in the regions of Shkodra, Durres, Vlora, Tirana, Diber, Korça, Durres, Berat and Elbasan damaging forests and pastures. According to the Civil Emergency Service, in Tiranë, a fire erupted in the Ibë village where 12 firefighters were sent, managing to extinguish the flames in the late hours of the night. A big fire also erupted at Dajti where 40 firefighters, 15 military officers and a helicopter were sent. The flames have burned 0.6 hectares of different types of trees were burned in Shkodër; 0.1 hectare of bushes and shrub burned in Dibër, 3 hectares of bushes burned in Durrës and a further 2 hectares of bushes were burned in Berat. 35 hectares of bushes were burned in the Elbasan area. Civil Emergency service also urged citizens to be cautious and immediately report by calling emergency numbers, but many citizens are the creators of intentional fires with the aim of opening up new lands. The technical Minister of Interior, Dritan Demiraj and the Defense Minister, Mimi Kodheli raised the alarm over the fires situation in our country and especially to those who deliberately cause fires. Demiraj warned severe punishment for the arsonists. "A series of wildfires engulfed the Albanian territory during the recent weeks. The Civil Emergencies National Directory, the firefighters, the State Police and the Armed Forces have been cooperating for fires extinguishment. In some cases the huge fires have been sparked by arsonists. The intentional fires zone threat to the homeland security, thus the perpetrators willface severe punishment," said Demiraj. “There are around 90 fires all over the country”, he declared. Military and Viva helicopters are battling with the flames day and night. According to Minister of Interior, Demiraj, police structures have been mobilized to tackle all cases of arson and the responsible people will be apprehended. Meantime the Minister of Defense, Kodheli declared that the Armed forces troops are giving a valuable contribution by helping the firefighters in their battle with the wildflames. Albania has been engulfed by an unusual heat wave that has caused massive fires in many areas of the country. Many hectares of land, pastures and trees have been burnt. The situation of fire is difficult to manage given that fires are favored by high temperature all over the country. The danger of fire persists due to the hot weathereven over 40 degress Celsius.