Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) has issued an official statement warning that the high temperatures expected in the coming days will significantly increase the risk of wildfires across the country.
In its announcement, the Agency called on local government units, prefectures and operational emergency forces to keep their personnel and logistical resources on high alert and respond immediately to any wildfire outbreak.
The AKMC also urged citizens to follow preventive measures by avoiding the lighting of fires and refraining from discarding cigarette butts on the ground.
“According to the latest data from the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, high temperatures and weather conditions that significantly increase the risk of wildfires are expected across the region in the coming days. Greece and Türkiye are forecast to face a very extreme level of wildfire risk, while the situation remains critical in several other parts of Europe.
Due to rising temperatures across the region, Albania is also expected to face an increased risk of wildfire outbreaks and their rapid spread. In this context, the National Civil Protection Agency calls on local self-government units, prefectures and operational forces to keep their human and logistical capacities on standby, respond immediately to every wildfire outbreak and, if local resources become exhausted, promptly request additional support in accordance with the procedures established under the civil protection system.
At the same time, the National Civil Protection Agency urges all citizens to exercise maximum caution and comply with the following preventive measures:
- Do not light fires in open areas.
- Do not throw cigarette butts in forests, grasslands or near dry vegetation.
- Do not burn waste, dry grass or other materials during periods of high temperatures.
- If you notice a wildfire, immediately notify the emergency services, as timely reporting is crucial to limiting the spread of the flames.
Prevention is a shared responsibility. Through everyone’s care and cooperation, we can protect lives, property and the environment,” the statement said.