Fires damage many forests, EU helps fight them

TIRANA, Aug. 30 – The European Commission’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) reacted immediately to Albania’s request for help and liaised with Member States; in result, Italy offered two CL415 water-bombing aircrafts to further support Albania.
“I would like to personally thank Italy for its prompt and effective engagement at a moment when Albania was struggling to cope with raging forest fires. I am confident that, thanks to the solidarity of one of our Member States, there will be a quick end to this emergency,” said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis response.
“As always, the Monitoring and Information Centre is on the alert, ready to coordinate any further European assistance and keeping Participating States updated on new developments,” the Commissioner added.
Due to high temperatures and strong winds, more than 50 forest fires are still burning in Albania. On 29 August, large forest fires were raging in four areas which triggered Albania to renew its request for fire-fighting assistance.
Albania activated the Civil Protection Mechanism requesting urgent aerial assistance for raging forest fires in their countries.
Wildfires have been burning through Albania these days, where water-dropping aircraft from Italy and Turkey were assisting firefighters battle hundreds of fires. Some 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres) have been burned or damaged so far.
Albania has no firefighting planes of its own.
Countries within the EU but also beyond the borders which are overwhelmed by natural and man-made disasters can request assistance from the 31 participating states (EU-27 plus Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). In reacting together, they can provide assistance more rapidly and effectively than by acting alone, which is also a demonstration of European solidarity. The MIC immediately organized an audio-conference with all Member States which have such assets.
In Albania firefighters are holding a difficult battle with fires.
Director of Civil Emergencies in the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Alfred Olli informed that thanks to the collaboration with the Italian and Turkish parties, which placed at their disposal helicopters, the Albanian party has been able to extinguish two serious fires from the air.
Olli said the risk from fire is still present because of the high temperatures.
He also called on the people to be careful as “A single cigarette can cause a very big fire.”
The Interior Ministry and other institutions have said they will be very strict in the implementation of the law, especially for those people who start intentional fires.
This year has seen an increase of the number of fires compared to last year that have damaged more areas.
Many people have been accused of intentionally setting fire to forests to turn them into pastures, for which they will be penally accountable.
Criminal investigation has started for many persons around the country.