Wildfires rage across Albania; one dead in Gramsh as evacuations ordered

Wildfires have taken frightening proportions across much of the country, mainly in the south. An 80-year-old man from Gramsh is the first victim: he had lit a fire in his yard and, trying to extinguish it, died from asphyxia. Flames have spun out of control, creating an alarming situation that has engulfed three villages.

Why is this important: Authorities have ordered residents to leave their homes immediately where lives are at risk. The last 24 hours saw 50 fire outbreaks nationwide, 19 of which remain active, and most appear to be intentional, prompting a push to toughen criminal penalties for arson.

Context: Firefighters, Armed Forces units and air assets are working to contain the blazes. Aerial operations are under way, with eight fire engines and about 90 operational personnel supported by an Air Force helicopter, two Greek planes, one Czech helicopter and one Slovak helicopter; an Air Force Black Hawk is also expected to join.

• In the south, the situation remains problematic in the municipalities of Finiq and Delvinë near the Blue Eye Natural Park, where flames are active and difficult. In Berat, authorities are struggling near the Poliçan Mechanical Plant as the fire edges toward the city and a care home for the elderly. Conditions worsened in the villages of Plirëz and Rehovë, where residents were evacuated as the fire advanced toward houses.
• Tirana registered several problematic hotspots on Tuesday morning in Ferraj and Zall-Herr, with homes again threatened. Other areas in Selitë, Bërzhitë and Arbanë are under monitoring, and active fires are reported in the municipalities of Kavajë and Rrogozhinë. In the north, a fire was reported at the entrance to Pukë, while the situation is more problematic in Fushë-Arrëz, where flames have engulfed a pine area that is inaccessible to ground crews. Active fires are also present in Dibër, Durrës, Elbasan, Kukës, Korçë and Tepelenë.
• Police in Tepelenë arrested a 40-year-old man accused of setting a fire on leased land that burned out of control and destroyed five livestock shelters. The government says many of this summer’s fires have been deliberate.

Call for tougher sanctions: Against this backdrop, the government is considering stiffening penalties for arson. The Prime Minister has proposed equating intentional arson with murder in the new Criminal Code. He said:

“Setting a fire on purpose is not only a crime, but a betrayal of our land and of the future of our children. In this difficult time of global warming and of flames that are challenging all the Mediterranean states especially, we will have to equate arson with murder in the Criminal Code. The State Police is on the ground to bring to justice anyone who plays with the flames on the common property.”

The President called for “maximum awareness,” urging care, engagement and responsibility. He appealed especially to residents of Gramsh—where the situation is most critical—to cooperate with civil emergency structures and all forces in the field, calling public support “vital.” He thanked all personnel engaged and expressed gratitude to friendly countries sending helicopters and specialized equipment.