18:00 SITUATION REPORT

The wildfire situation worsened across several Albanian counties on 13 August 2026. According to an authorities’ update reported by RTSH, 31 outbreaks had been identified during the day by 18:00. At the time of the report, 18 fires remained on the list: 14 active, two under monitoring and two under control.

Fire services, the Armed Forces, police, municipal staff and volunteers were involved in the response. The update reported no immediate threat to populated areas, but several fronts remained intense, while wind and difficult terrain complicated operations.

LURË AND ELBASAN AMONG THE MOST SERIOUS AREAS

At Gurë-Lurë in Dibër, the fire continued at high intensity in two directions. The perimeter closest to homes had been brought under control and the threat to residents had been averted at the time of reporting.

The response included 120 municipal personnel, 57 Armed Forces members, 15 police officers, 15 volunteers and nine Protected Areas Administration staff. Two Air Tractor aircraft supported the operation from above.

At Lugaxhi in Elbasan, flames had spread into the crowns of pine trees. Crews were working to contain the fire and no threat to homes was reported. A new outbreak had also been identified at Shalës in Cërrik.

OPERATIONS IN DAJT AND KRUJË

In Dajt, the fire continued above the Qafë-Mollë tunnels. Another coordinated ground-and-air operation was under way across the Priskë e Madhe–Gurrë–Farkë–Lundër area, involving firefighters, volunteers and Armed Forces helicopters.

At Abaze in Krujë, the fire remained active and was being driven by wind. Operational crews, supported by a military helicopter, were working to extinguish it. Authorities also reported no threat to homes there in the evening update.

OTHER ACTIVE AREAS

Operations continued in Nëmerçkë and Dhëmbel in Përmet, Trojë in Mirditë and Dhivër in Finiq. Forest terrain and difficult grazing areas made the response more complex in some locations.

The fire at Rumanxë had been extinguished, while the Dhrovjan outbreak was under control. Fires at Drenie, Lofkënd and Ngraçije in the Mallakastër–Patos area had been isolated and were being monitored. At Kryezi in Fushë-Arrëz, the outbreak was under control.

RESOURCES DEPLOYED

The Armed Forces alone had deployed 309 personnel, 22 vehicles, one water tanker, three ambulances, nine fire engines, three helicopters and two Air Tractor aircraft in operations across the country.

The figures describe conditions at 18:00 and may change as fires are contained or new outbreaks appear. Residents should follow official notices and immediately report smoke or flames near populated or forested areas.

REPORTING BASIS

ON MEDIA.AL wrote this article from scratch using the authorities’ wildfire update published by RTSH on 13 August 2026. The article preserves the distinction between active fires, those under monitoring and those under control, and does not treat the reported absence of danger at 18:00 as a guarantee for the hours that follow.