In the Deçan Mountains, specifically in an area known as “Kulla e Qelisë,” a fire that started a day ago has burned over 40 hectares of forest. Strong winds, the difficult terrain, and the lack of adequate firefighting equipment in Deçan made it challenging to quickly contain the fire, which only occurred during the day.
Everything within an area of over 40 hectares in the “Kulla e Qelisë” region of the Deçan Mountains was reduced to ashes.
The fire, which began on Saturday, quickly spread in the area, aided by the winds.
The firefighting teams from Deçan and Junik, along with a large number of volunteers, were still battling the flames by midday on Sunday.
“Up until now, the fire has been contained within a very large perimeter, around 40-50 hectares. As you can see, the terrain is very difficult and dangerous,” emphasized Shaqë Mati, a firefighter.
The challenging terrain made it even harder to stop the fire.
The road to reach the part of the mountain that is burning is quite difficult and can only be accessed by vehicles that the competent authorities have. However, it is fortunate that no houses or residents are located in this part of Deçan, which could have been at risk.
Meanwhile, shortly afterward, the commander of the “Firefighters Brigade” in this municipality said that the fire had been contained, and that without the assistance provided, it would have been impossible.
“It was a very large fire, and there were many difficulties. We mobilized all the firefighters we had. There were volunteers with whom we tried all day, from morning until now, to stop the fire,” said Besim Selmanaj, Commander of the Firefighters Brigade in Deçan.
Meanwhile, the mayor of the municipality, Bashkim Ramosaj, believes the fire was caused by human action.
“What doesn’t need further comment is that the fire has no other explanation. It’s a fire set by someone, perhaps carelessly, someone who went to have a picnic or a walk,” emphasized Bashkim Ramosaj, Mayor of Deçan.
The television station contacted representatives of the police and the prosecution in the Peja region but has not received a response as to whether the recent fire is being investigated as arson. /RTV Dukagjini
