3 hours ago9 Still active fires, Pelesi criticises Vlora Together for Karaburun
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)Nine fires continue to be active in Albania. The government says it is working to put them under control while stressing that they are not at risk to people. Defence Minister Niko Peleshi said in a media report that after two weeks of work, 175 fires could be extinguished across the country as 9 [...]
Defence Minister Niko Peleshi said in a press release that after two weeks of work, 175 fires have been allowed to be extinguished throughout the country, while 9 sites remain active.
While thanking all those involved in the cease-fires in Karaburun, Peleshi criticised Vlora's Basescu for failing to intervene in the case of fires.
He stressed that the “government is the last link of intervention,”, and after the end of the Karaburun shelters, it is up to the municipality to take control of the territory.
For several days, numerous fires follow up the north, with hearths near the “Riverway of the Nation” on May of Runa, in Calimash, Kukes, and in the surrounding village area called Mirday. Pelesh said he's trying to get the flames under control.
There was a fire in the Tropoja Dragobi, in Mülla, Puka, and Pataley of Leja.
The minister said that until now the fires at Scrapari's Therepel and Mount Tomorri are towards extinction. At the same time, the situation is presented in the protected area of the Nika Stone, in Pogradec, as fires continue in Dukat.
To date, the most difficult situation managed has been Karabuun's, where Minister Peleshi said the danger of burning Llogara National Park was successfully overcome.
Over 300 hot spots were recorded during the summer in Albania according to the Global Forest Watch (GFW), which monitors the world's forest situation through satellite images. Most have been marked for the last three weeks.
Over 5 thousand soldiers, firefighters, local authorities employees and volunteers are committed to extinguishing the fires. Seven helicopters, four of whom were made available from the Netherlands and Chekhia, have already been engaged.
Two victims were caused by fires. Andrea and Tatyana Hadziaj lost their lives as a result of the flames in the village of Asim Zenel in Gjirokastra. Andrew died on August 3, and Tatyana died a week later in the hospital.
Police said Tuesday that at least 33 people are suspected of being responsible for intentional arson, where 15 of them have been arrested, 2 have been declared at large, and another 16 have been put under investigation.
According to the GFW in the past 20 years, Albania has lost over 400,000 hectares of forest, or 6.2% of its total by 2000. The main reasons have been excessive cutting off and uncontrolled fires.
