Mountains at the border with Albania on fire were one week, army intervention expected

There are seven days since the mountains on the Kosovo border- Albania is on fire. But despite their efforts, firefighters are failing to shut them down.

The unsuitable terrain and strong wind are preventing them from approaching the furnace.

Gjakova Fire Chief Xhavit Gashi has said that compared to the past few days, the situation is going on improving.

It claims the situation is not good at Ponofefc and at the border checkpoint in Qafe, Morina, until it says other villages are under control.

“Sizes are much smaller. Under control, the village of Qerret, the village of Boggo's father in the Qerret, Shishman we have in control, Popocs is under control. Meanwhile, in the village of Pononschec and at the border point in Qafe, Morina, we do not have the situation very well. But generally compared to other days, the situation is much better”, Gashi indicates.

And despite the still failing fires and that in two villages the situation is not good, the fire commander says residents and homes are not at risk.

He claims if the situation gets worse, the military will intervene.

The officers don't feel themselves endangered in any way. No home or citizen will be allowed to risk their lives. I understand their concerns, but there is no danger to their wealth or their lives. The army is mobilized. He's waiting in the barracks. At any moment that we, with AMEA officials, estimate that the situation is deteriorating, the army is in a state of readiness and interrogating”, Gashi said.

He has also thanked the firefighters of other municipalities, forestmen, and residents who have helped extinguish these fires.

Gjakova's firecrackers are working day and night to get these fires out. The fire departments of nine municipalities have also come to our aid. We have firefighters from Ferizaj, Suhareka, Maliseva, Rahoveci, Prizren, Peja, Decani and Yunik. In addition to firefighters, our appeal is also answered by foresters of the Forest Agency and villagers. There are 55 firefighters taking part in the action”, Gashi said.

Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed by the Gjakova Regional Police.

The spokeswoman of the Gjakova Police, Freedom Podrimaj, has told Gazeta Express in this case that all relevant units that are continuing to work on the ground and that they have managed to extinguish a large portion of the fire.

Podrimaj has said that part of the fire has failed to extinguish the cause of unsuitable terrain, but that based on ground information, residents are not endangered.

A large part of the mountainous area that is in the area of responsibility of DDR ) Gjakova has been engulfed by fire since 27.08.2019. All relevant units that continue to work on the ground have been reported and have managed to extinguish a large part of the fire only today have 9 units of firefighters from different cities assisting. Due to inadequate terrain and without the possibility of firefighters reaching near the location, some of the fire has not been able to extinguish. Based on ground information there's no danger for the residents of”, Podrimaj said.

For the situation created in these mountains, last day the prime minister has reacted to Ramush Haradinaj's resignation.

Through a Facebook post, Haradinaj has said that the explosion of these fires is disturbing because of the extent in vast space.

Haradinaj has said he is in touch with the Chairman of the Gjakova municipality and that they are following the situation closely. In addition to the firefighters, Haradinaj has said that an army department in the endangered area has been urgently mobilised.

“The outbreak of fires in the Gjakova municipality is disturbing because of the extent in huge space. I'm in touch with the Chairman of Gjakova, and we're closely following the status quo. Firefighters from five municipalities in the region have been mobilised, as have Kosovo Police. Also, an army unit in the endangered body of” has been urgently mobilised, Haradinaj wrote.