The wildfire crisis in the Lezha District, particularly in the touristic area of Shëngjin, is reported to be dire.

What is happening

Despite the deployment of specialized firefighting aircraft, the blaze continues to spread uncontrollably, raising significant concerns among local authorities and residents.

The fire has prompted an urgent evacuation of residents from the Shëngjin port neighborhood due to the immediate threat posed by a nearby 5,000-liter gas tank. This development has further intensified the urgency of the situation. Firefighters, along with volunteers, local residents, and police, have been engaged in an intensive battle against the flames for several hours. The situation has deteriorated since yesterday afternoon, with the fire encroaching upon the beach area and destroying several tents and sunbeds at a local resort.

The spread of the fire has resulted in severe damage to both residential areas and tourist resorts. The blaze has also reached the Shëngjin cemetery, and strong winds have exacerbated the fire’s spread, complicating the efforts of firefighting teams. The flames have consumed a significant portion of the vegetation in the area with fire reaching dangerously close to residential areas and resorts.

In response to the escalating crisis, two European firefighting planes have been deployed to assist in the efforts, in addition to the Cougar helicopter already on the scene. The firefighting teams have been challenged by the fire’s progression and the risk of explosions from old explosive ordnance in the “Rana e Hedhun” area, which could potentially ignite due to the intense heat.

The ongoing wildfires have forced many tourists and visitors to abandon their vacations, highlighting the widespread impact of the disaster. The situation remains critical, with authorities and firefighting teams continuing their efforts to control the blaze amid challenging conditions.