How was the fire disaster on the Albania-Kosovo highway averted?

With the help of Kosovo Security Force effectives, the fire disaster on the Albania-Kosovo highway was averted.

A very dangerous mass fire hearth, over the Calimash tunnel, in the Albania-Albanian Highway- Kosovo was closed in the early hours of today (10.08), fearing a possible catastrophe, blocking movement, life and village dwellings nearby. The strong wind spread fires from the mountain of Rock, which has been engulfed by fire for several days, on the ground above the Calimash tunnel, risking the safety of moving on this highway and dwellings in nearby villages. The new fire room over the tunnel was brought under control with the help of the Kosovo Security Force's effective,(FSK) and Kosovo and Kukes fire facilities. Official sources suggested that 9 fire vehicles and 34 firefighters arrived from Kosovo.

Kosovo Defence Minister Armend Mehaj announced the engagement in social media, writing that, meanwhile, a KSF contingent has been launched towards areas affected by fires to engage in operations along with Albania's reactive forces.” Albanian authorities have announced on Tuesday (10.08) that effective Armed Forces, along with KSF's and Kukes' fire facilities, will continue operations to control the centres of mass fires. Mount Rock, 1875 meters (1875 m) continues to be plagued by fires and there are hot springs in the surrounding areas.

New Firehouses in Other Regions

New fires are constantly created along with the two most disturbing sites - one on the Karaburun Peninsula (Valora) and the other on Mount Rock (Kuke). Such sites have also been opened in southeastern regions of Albania, Korë, and Pogradec, where the fire has included the Mokra Forest. In The Watchtower, a number of days of fires, there is a danger of spreading into inhabited areas.

The defence ministry in the statement last night (09.08) for the situation of fires across the country's territory suggested that “in half of the fire-affected surfaces in Voscopoja forests, the situation is towards the upgrade”.

Another recently opened fire cell is the one on the border with Montenegro, in the area called,”Kanda/Kukzipha” following “with seriousness” stresses the Defence Ministry's statement. “With land and air-focused interventions have already been removed from the risk of flames in the direction of the Llogara National Park, but the operation follows to nominalize the”, World Minister Niko Pelesh suggests.

According to the Institute of Genocency, Energy, Water and Environment, (IGJEUM) today, (10.08) and tomorrow (11.08) are expected to be endangered by area fires in Lezha, Durres, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Korca, Vlora and Gjirokastra.

The damage from the fires, which have entered the third week, is incalculable - hundreds of acres of forest and burned pasture, evacuated villages. Fortunately, there is no loss in people. The only victim remains Andrea Hadziray, 64-year-old from the village of”Azim Zeneli” in Loger, Gjirokastra, who lost his life in defense of his burning vineyard. / DW