Firefighting teams and operational forces in the Finiqi area had a challenging night, where several fires spread by strong winds endangered residents.
Defense Minister Pirro Vengu announced in a Facebook post that firefighting teams are facing a serious situation in several southern villages.
"A very challenging night in Finiq, where the firefighting teams of the municipalities of Finiq, Delvinë, Konispol and Saranda, supported by 5 firefighters and 70 members of the Armed Forces, as well as 20 members of the State Police, continuously faced the fires," he wrote.
The fires have affected the areas of Velahovo, Livinë, Ardhasovo, Bistrica and Krongj.
Due to the immediate danger, the temporary evacuation of residents in the villages of Livinë and Ardhasovë has been carried out.
Minister Vengu added that measures have been taken for medical assistance, especially for the elderly, while "operational and volunteer forces ensured the protection of every home and business at risk."
The situation became more critical in the early hours of the morning, when flames threatened the Bistrica Hydropower Plant.
"A successful operation was carried out to prevent the spread of flames that were endangering the Bistrica hydroelectric power plant, where air intervention is also expected at this time," the minister announced.
Due to the situation, vehicle traffic on the Muzinë-Bistrica axis remains limited until the operations are completed.
Firefighters and support structures continue to be on standby to monitor any area at risk of reactivation of fires due to wind and high temperatures. /Telegraph/
