Albania burns from fires, first victim recorded in Gramsh; authorities call for evacuation, residents refuse!

The fire situation in Gramsh has gotten out of control, and residents are being asked to evacuate from endangered areas.

In an official announcement, the Ministry of Defense calls on residents of the villages of Ermenj, Harunas and Zenelas to immediately leave their homes and cooperate with authorities for safe evacuation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense appealed to residents of Skenderbeg to immediately leave their homes and cooperate with authorities for safe evacuation.

The massive fires that have engulfed the rural areas of the Gramsh municipality have caused extensive damage.

One of the consequences is the burning of the Shemberdhënja tekke, an object of historical and spiritual value for the community, where, according to sources on the ground, it is suspected that a person was trapped inside.

The rapidly spreading flames have engulfed several villages, including Skënderbegas, Kullollas, Bletëz, Sojnik, Mukaj and Kukur, causing an alarming situation.

High temperatures and strong winds have made it extremely difficult for emergency forces to contain the spread of the fires.

Local and central authorities have deployed additional troops to the field, including the Armed Forces and Civil Protection structures, while aerial helicopter intervention continues to help isolate the most dangerous hotspots.

Some villages have been evacuated to avoid danger to life, while damage to forests, pastures and residential buildings is considerable.

Apocalyptic view from the fires in Gramsh

The fire situation is extremely critical in the Skënderbegës administrative unit of Gramsh, where the Ministry of Defense has issued evacuation orders for three villages.

As a result of the rapid spread of flames in the village of Bulcar, a parent with two children has been left isolated on a farm.

Meanwhile, the first victim from the fires has also been recorded.

At around 11:00, it is suspected that an 80-year-old citizen started a fire in the garden of his apartment in the village of Kullollas, a fire that got out of control and spread massively to several villages in the Gramsh district. It is suspected that as a result of asphyxiation, this citizen lost his life.

Police, Fire and Civil Emergency Services immediately went to the area, where they are working intensively to extinguish the fire, as well as to evacuate residents of the villages where the flames have spread.

Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha has headed to Gramsh to monitor the situation. 80 Armed Forces forces have been deployed on the ground, along with local units, working to isolate and extinguish the fires.

Authorities appeal for maximum cooperation from residents and announce that they have made all resources available to manage the emergency situation.

Meanwhile, the Shemberdhenjes Tekke has been destroyed by flames and it is reported that a person is suspected of being trapped inside.

Active fire outbreaks have been recorded in villages in the Skënderbegës unit, including Kullollas, Bletëz, Sojnik, Mukaj and Kukur.

So far, the flames have been fought only by municipal firefighters and volunteer workers, while the intervention of the armed forces and emergency services is expected to intensify.

Munella Natural Park engulfed in fire

A massive fire has engulfed the eastern part of the Munella Natural Park in Kukës, in the administrative area of Malziu, in the place called Maja e Zezë, in the last few hours.

The flames have engulfed a territory of particular ecological and natural importance, where forests of chestnut, oak and ash trees spread, which have been engulfed by the flames and several hectares of them have been burned.

The fire has spread rapidly due to strong winds and steep terrain, making intervention from the ground difficult.

Also, 10 firefighters, 5 from the AZM (Protected Zones Administration) as well as residents and employees of the administrative unit have been engaged, who are working intensively to isolate and extinguish the flames.

So far, there are no reports of danger to residential areas, as the fire is located far from them.

The damage to the forest area is considerable and a more accurate assessment is expected in the future.

Local authorities call for maximum caution during this period of high temperatures and drought, while warning of penalties for any deliberate or negligent arson.

Munella Natural Park is one of the richest areas in terms of biodiversity and natural resources, and any damage to this territory constitutes a major environmental loss.

As a result of the flames and smoke that has engulfed the area, it is learned that in the village of Kullollas, in Gramsh, an elderly person has passed away...

The first victim from the fires in the country has been recorded. In Gramsh, the flames have been out of control for several hours, burning bushes, forest areas and homes in several villages. As a result of the flames and smoke, it is learned that an elderly person in the village of Kullollas, in Gramsh, has died as a result of asphyxiation. 

The 80-year-old is suspected of starting a fire in the garden of his apartment, which then got out of control and spread massively to several other villages. 

"Around 11:00, it is suspected that a citizen around 80 years old started a fire in the garden of his apartment, in the village of Kullollas, a fire that got out of control and spread massively to several villages in the Gramsh district. It is suspected that as a result of asphyxiation, this citizen lost his life ," the police announced.

Given the alarming situation, the Ministry of Defense has issued another urgent call for residents of several villages in Gramsh to leave their homes.

"Due to the fires, we call on the residents of the villages of Kullollas, Bletëz and Menkollarë to immediately leave their homes and cooperate with the authorities for safe evacuation ," the ministry announced.

In the village of Skënderbegas, one of the most affected areas, a complete evacuation order has been issued, as the flames have come dangerously close to homes.

However, the situation is made even more dramatic by the refusal of some residents to leave, who are trying, amidst tears, to save as much as they can from their burning houses.

"We're not leaving, we have our lives here, " they are heard saying, overcome with despair.

The fires have left residents injured, while firefighters have been unable to enter critical areas due to thick smoke and giant flames, which have made intervention from the ground impossible.

The administrator of the Skanderbegas unit in Gramsh said in a statement to the media that the situation is very, very serious and that the damage is extensive. 

"The fire has engulfed 4 villages, two of which have been completely burned, Kullollas and Bletez. The action to evacuate residents from the area continues ," he said.

The situation is also critical in the surrounding villages, where every minute counts to save lives, homes and land. Meanwhile, calls for help from residents on social media and communications with authorities are increasing by the hour.

The situation is critical and urgent assistance from the authorities is required.

The fire situation in Albania remains critical, while emergency forces are facing two dangerous fronts in Gramsh.

In the villages of Kullollas and Bletës, it is learned that the flames favored by the wind have advanced rapidly and are burning houses. It is also learned that the Shemberdhenje tekke has burned down and it is suspected that a person is trapped inside.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents of three villages: Kullollas, Bletëz and Menkollarë, however, it is reported that there are still residents trapped in the village. The situation is critical and urgent assistance is required from the authorities. Meanwhile, due to the smoke, ambulances and firefighters are not allowed to go.

80 Armed Forces forces have been deployed on the ground, together with local units, who are working non-stop to isolate and extinguish the fires.

Meanwhile, aerial operations are expected to begin in the coming hours to contain the spread of the fire and protect homes and infrastructure.

Active fires remain throughout the country from north to south. In the counties of Berat, Tirana and Dibër, the flames have come dangerously close to homes, forcing authorities to evacuate several villages, particularly in Poliçan and Rehova. Some fires have spread to remote mountainous areas with rugged terrain, making intervention from the ground difficult. In many cases, intervention has only been possible with aerial means, such as in the village of Damjan in Tirana or in the Xathi area in Puka, where armed forces and specialized emergency vehicles have been activated.

Active foci: 

The Vlora region , in the municipalities of Finiq and Delvina, near the Blue Eye Natural Park, continues to be active and problematic, while 8 firefighting vehicles are operating on the ground, 4 of which are from the Armed Forces and about 90 operational forces, supported by an Air Force helicopter as well as 2 Greek PZL aircraft, 1 Czech helicopter and 1 Slovak. Today, work is expected to continue with the same capacities, assisted by 1 Black Hawk helicopter of the Air Force.

– In the “Rëzom” park (protected area), at the top of “Lucës”, above the Skërfica tunnel, the fire continues in an area of bushes and forests, the rugged terrain makes intervention from the ground impossible. The situation is being monitored and appears stable.

Dibër County, on the Mountain with Holes in Biz of Martanesh, Bulqiza Municipality in a protected area, this fire continues to be active, which has developed intensely above the village of Val, far from inhabited areas in a rocky area where rare plants and herbs are burning. The situation is being monitored by local authorities.

Në fshatin Xibër, bashkia Klos vatra e zjarrit është izoluar dhe po mbahet në monitorim nga autoritetet vendore.

Qarku Berat, në bashkinë Poliçan, jashtë territorit të Uzinës Mekanike, vazhdon aktive vatra e zjarrit, duke iu afruar qytetit pranë Azilit të të Moshuarve. Situata është përkeqësuar në fshatin Plirëz, Poliçan dhe po evakuohen banorët. Në vendngjarje po punojnë pesë mjete dhe rreth 75 forca operacionale, mbështetur nga ajri me helikopterin e Forcës Ajrore.

Në fshatin Rehovë, bashkia Poliçan, zjarri ka përparuar në afërsi të banesave. Është bërë evakuimi i banorëve gjatë dhe kanë operuar forca operacionale vendore.

Qarku Tiranë, vijon aktiv zjarri në vendin e quajtur “Mali i Bërzhitës”, fshati Ibë, ku po forcat operacionale vijojnë punën për shuarjen e tij.

Në fshatin Stërbeg, bashkia Rrogozhinë, ku zjarri ka kaluar në fshatin Spanesh. Në vendngjarje ndodhen forca dhe mjete nga MZSH Rrogozhinë të cilët po punojnë për shuarjen e zjarrit.

Në fshatin Hajdaraj, bashkia Kavajë, vatrat janë drejt shuarjes së plotë, ku forcat në terren janë mbështetur edhe nga ajri, me një avion, që po punon aktualisht për shuarjen e vatrës së fundit.

Në lartësitë dominuese të fshatit Damjan dhe Isufaj, zona Arbanë, njësia administrative Vaqarr, ka rënë një zjarr i përmasave të mëdha. Aktualisht, edhe pse terreni është i vështirë, po veprojnë 6 mjete dhe rreth 40 forca nga strukturat operacionale si dhe një avion Canadair kroat.

Në fshatin Ferraj dhe Zall-Herr, bashkia Tiranë, në zjarrin e përhapur në një sipërfaqe me shkurre dhe ferra, po operojnë në automjete zjarrfikëse nga MZSH, por situata paraqitet e ndërlikuar dhe rrezikohen banesa. Forcave në terren u janë bashkuar 2 helikopterë Blackhawk të Emirateve të Bshkuara Arabe.

Në kodrat e Selitës, bashkia Tiranë, ka rënë zjarr në një sipërfaqe me shkurre dhe ferra. Nuk ka akses për kalueshmëri mjetesh. Situata po monitorohet nga forcat bashkiake.

Qarku Durrës, në fshatin Barkanesh, bashkia Krujë është aktivizuar një vatër zjarri në terren të vështirë, ku po veprojnë mjete dhe forca operacionale vendore.

Qarku Gjirokastër, në fshatin Turan, bashkia Tepelenë, ka vijuar puna për shuarjen e zjarrit, i cili u përhap në drejtim të fshatit Lekel dhe Koder, ku u dogjën dy stalla, por me dëme minimale në bagëti. Ne terren operuan rreth 100 forca dhe mjete nga gjithë qarku Gjirokastër, dhe sot vijon puna, të ndihmuar nga dy helikopterët çek dhe sllovak.

Qarku Elbasan, në fshatin Mukaj dhe fshatin Sojnik, bashkia Gramsh, zjarri vijon aktiv në sipërfaqe me shkurre dhe ferr, ku operuan forcat operacionale punuan të MZSH Gramsh të mbështetur nga 25 efektivë të FA Elbasan.

Qarku Shkodër, është aktivizuar vatër zjarri në hyrje të qytetit Pukë, vijojnë punën forcat operacionale vendore. Situata është në kontroll dhe nuk paraqet rrezik.

In the village of Xath, in the municipality of Fushë Arrëz, a fire has broken out in an area of pine trees, which does not allow for intervention by ground forces. The situation has been very difficult and the fire has grown in size. In addition to approximately 80 local operational forces, 65 forces of the Armed Forces are also operating today, with 2 firefighting vehicles.

Kukës County , a fire has been activated in the village of Gegaj, Tropojë municipality, without danger to homes. About 60 forces from local operational structures and 5 firefighting vehicles have been engaged. The fire remains active but isolated and without danger of spreading.

In the municipality of Kukës , a fire in a forest area in the place called Maja e Zezë, the village of Shëmri continues to be monitored.

Korça region , in the village of Gërmenj, Kolonjë municipality, a fire has been activated in an area of pine forests. The terrain is difficult and the operational forces are unable to intervene. The situation is under supervision by the Kolonjë MZSH.