Fire engulfs 10 hectares of forest in Gjinar, Elbasan, crews tackling several active hotspots

The fire in the Gjinar forest massif has grown larger in recent hours. The flames have engulfed around 10 hectares of forest, while intervention is continuing at several active hotspots.

The broken terrain has significantly hampered the work of ground forces, so since midday the operation has also been supported from the air. The helicopter is intervening at fire hotspots in Caush, Pashtresh, Bregu i Madh, Korita and Lugu i Thellë, areas where ground intervention is most difficult.

Around 15 firefighters from the Elbasan fire service (MZSH), 70 forces from the Municipality of Elbasan and 30 members of the Armed Forces have been engaged in the operation.

The situation was also complicated by strong winds during the night, which helped reactivate hotspots and spread the flames through the forest massif.

The work of forces on the ground is focused on isolating the hotspots and keeping the flames away from the inhabited area and the tourist spaces of Gjinar.