BRUSSELS, Aug. 3 – The European Commission said that the forest fires in Europe in July were some of the worst on record, as drought across southern Europe turned forests into tinder.
The report noted that its figures have not yet added information from non-EU members Turkey and Albania which have also experienced major fires, adding some 3,376 square kilometers of forest, about three times the size of Moscow, have burned already this year, compared to the 3,585 square kilometers (2,228 square miles) that were consumed by fire last year.
The commission warned of worse ahead.
During recent days in Albania, fires have continued but the country now has planes and helicopters that have helped extinguish many of them.
Along with an airplane from Ukraine, two Italian Canadair planes specializing in fighting forest fire arrived to join also two German AS350 BA helicopters.
“The greatest part of the fire sites in diffrent areas of the country have been put under control and are being isolated,” according to a statement from the emergency department.
Lorries with material aid from Czech firefighters for their Albanian colleagues who are fighting extensive forest fires have arrived in the destination, according to Petr Kopacek, spokesman for the Czech Firemen’s Rescue Corps.
The Czech Republic has donated protective aids for firefighters worth one million crowns.
In Tirana 110 pairs of protective shoes and gloves have been sent for Albanian firefighters.
Albania has suffered from long-term problems with power supplies due to the dry season as the local energy production is based primarily on water power plants.
