Albania is facing a worrying increase in wildfires, with more than 3,900 firefighting interventions registered this year, marking a 12% rise compared to 2024, according to official data.
The Director of the Fire and Rescue Service, Arben Cara, told A2CNN that the majority of fires broke out in forests and pastures, fueled by high temperatures and difficult terrain.
“We have recorded around 3,981 total interventions, of which 3,120 were wildfire outbreaks in forests and pastures. Most incidents occurred in pine and fir areas, as well as on the outskirts of towns and villages, where residents often created fire sources while clearing orchards and grazing lands,” said Cara.
Sharp Increase Compared to Last Year
Cara stressed that the situation is significantly more problematic than in 2024.
“If we compare last year to this year, in just two months we recorded over 1,200 more wildfire outbreaks in forests and pastures. This shows a clear upward trend. We are facing at least a 12% increase. Whereas last year we had 6–7 fire outbreaks per week, this year we are dealing with about 13 per week,” he explained.
Arrests and Legal Measures
Despite continuous efforts by firefighting units, lack of infrastructure remains a major challenge.
Meanwhile, the Albanian State Police reported that between June and August, 137 individuals were identified as suspected of causing fires intentionally or through negligence. Out of these, 46 have been arrested, while 91 others were prosecuted at liberty.
A Serious Environmental Threat
Wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to the environment, property, and human lives. Authorities are urging for greater awareness and cooperation from local communities and residents, calling on them to refrain from unsafe practices that lead to fire outbreaks.
