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Wildfires Erupt in Albania and Croatia Amid Severe Heat Wave
Severe heat waves have ignited wildfires across Albania and Croatia, threatening ecosystems and communities. Discover the latest updates on the situation, efforts to combat the flames, and the impact of climate change on these regions.
Wildfires Rage Across Albania and Croatia Amidst Extreme Heat
Wildfires are currently sweeping through Albania and Croatia, exacerbated by an intense heat wave gripping the region. In Albania, firefighters have been tirelessly combating flames threatening villages near the capital, Tirana, as they faced challenging conditions.
Authorities reported that efforts to control new fires were ongoing at eight different locations throughout the country. Hundreds of firefighters, alongside military personnel, are actively engaged in firefighting operations, supported by aerial assistance from a helicopter. The most affected areas include Librazhd and Gramsh in the central-eastern region, as well as the countryside surrounding Tirana, and the southern regions of Hamara and Konispol, extending to the northern town of Bulqiza.
As a result of the wildfires, vast expanses of forest—spanning hundreds of hectares—have been consumed by flames. In response to the crisis, police have apprehended at least five individuals suspected of deliberately starting fires. Authorities have also issued a warning to hunters to exercise caution during this perilous period, as the country grapples with extreme temperatures and dry conditions.
The combination of soaring temperatures, gusty winds, and an extended drought has significantly accelerated the spread of wildfires not only in Albania but across other Balkan nations, prompting the evacuation of local residents from affected areas.
In neighboring Croatia, firefighters are engaged in a fierce battle against massive blazes that have already devastated thousands of hectares of pine forests, maquis, and other vegetation. Firefighting teams continue to monitor and manage fire sites in Tučepi, near Makarska, and in Vrsine, near Trogir. These fires ignited five days ago and have collectively scorched approximately 1,250 hectares of low vegetation and pine forests.
According to the County Firefighting Operations Center, the number of personnel actively engaged on the ground has decreased as the intensity of the fires has diminished. Investigations into the causes of the fires revealed that one in Tučepi was sparked by the negligence of a local beekeeper who failed to fully extinguish the embers from a smoker. Meanwhile, the fire in Vrsine was attributed to the spontaneous combustion of waste materials.