TIRANA, July 27 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said on Monday that 2026 ranks among Albania’s best years in managing wildfires.
Nufi said the result comes from continuous investments in human resources and infrastructure. He stressed that preparation, rather than chance, has improved the country’s response to fire emergencies.
The minister made the remarks at a meeting with firefighters and Civil Emergency forces at the Farka air base. Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari also attended the meeting, which focused on preparations amid rising temperatures and increased wildfire risks.
Nufi said the 2025 wildfire season tested all civil emergency structures. He added that authorities used the lessons from last year to strengthen measures and improve coordination in 2026.
“2026 is among the best years in managing wildfires. This is not a matter of chance or luck. It is the result of proper management and early preparation,” Nufi said.
He thanked emergency personnel for their contribution and highlighted continued investment in civil protection. Nufi said funding for civil protection increased from 800 million lek to 1 billion lek for municipalities.
The minister added that authorities recorded 22 wildfire outbreaks between June 1 and July 24. Emergency structures mobilized 1,120 operational personnel to respond to these incidents.
/a.p./
The post 2026 among best years in wildfire response due to investments and early preparations appeared first on RTSH English.
