TIRANA, June 7 – The Ministry of Defense has informed that the fires on the island of Sazan have been stopped from burning after an uninterrupted work from the ground and air.
Some 122 members of the Armed Forces, 9 vehicles, 2 ships were engaged in the operation launched three days ago to extinguish the flames. On Tuesday morning the air intervention started. The Canadair CL 415 aircraft, supported by Greece, also joined the ground forces within the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
The situation on the island of Sazan is under control, while work continues to totally avoid the possibility of re-ignition of the flames due to the vegetation and hot weather.
Meanwhile, 54 members of the Armed Forces joined the fire brigade in the action to extinguish the fire in the administrative unit Orosh of Mirdita, northern Albania. It became possible to avoid the spread of flames near the apartments in a short time.
“The Ministry of Defense expresses its gratitude for the work of all engaged teams and calls on citizens, tourists to be careful, as this summer is expected to be hot and the risk of fires remains evident,” said the statement of the Defense Ministry which extended ‘heartfelt thanks’ to the European Union Civil Defense Mechanism and the neighboring state of Greece for the timely support with the Canadair aircraft.
Opposition officials have harshly criticized the government for not being able to cope with the situation at a time when the summer hot days have just started. Last year Albania was hit by dozens of huge fires which caused frightful damage to this Balkan country.
Although PM Edi Rama praises Albanian military forces, his government could not make available any helicopter to put out the fire in Sazan island. /Argumentum.al