# 2026 Mediterranean wildfires persist > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-mediterranean-wildfires > Updated: 2026-08-07T20:47:31.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 5. July 2026 saw a surge of forest, brush and agricultural fires in Algeria, prompting ground crews, water‑bombing aircraft and army support; dozens of families were evacuated and about 20 people received medical care. Early August the blaze spread to Albania, where steep, road‑less terrain forced firefighters to approach on foot. On 5 August a lightning‑sparked fire in Mallakastër threatened houses near Riban, prompting evacuation of roughly 15 families and their livestock; at the same time 13 other incidents burned across the country, including Dajti, the Elbasan mountains and the area between Stegopull and Selckë. The response involved 29 fire‑fighting vehicles, 246 personnel, 90 armed‑forces members, a helicopter and an Air Tractor, supplemented by municipal crews and volunteers, coordinated by the Ministry of Defence, the National Civil Protection Agency and local prefectures. No immediate residential risk was reported. A follow‑up report on 5 August confirmed 14 forest‑fire incidents, seven still active, with the Mallakastër hotspot remaining the most critical while other blazes were contained or extinguished. By 7 August the Ministry of Defence announced that nine fire spots across Albania—including Dajt, Priskë, Çikallesh, Riban and Ngraçan and others—were under control and safe for residents, though monitoring continues. By late 7 August, the situation in Albania escalated with 23 fires reported within a 24-hour period. While most fires in Dajti, Priskë, Kavajë, and Berat were isolated or extinguished, hotspots in Mallakastër remained under monitoring. In Krujë, flames spread toward residential areas, necessitating partial evacuations. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari confirmed the Krujë fire was caused by human intervention and announced the arrest of an arson suspect. Emergency services continue to deploy ground forces and aerial helicopter support. By late on 7 August, the massive wildfire in the Krujë region was brought under control following an intense emergency operation. ## Claims - Police have arrested a suspect for intentionally causing the fire. (disputed by 4 sources) - The fire resulted in the destruction of one business warehouse. (corroborated by 8 sources) - There were no casualties or injured residents resulting from the Krujë fire. (corroborated by 8 sources) - More than 200 firefighters and 200 Armed Forces personnel were involved in the operation. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The fire in Krujë was brought under full control by 06:00 AM. (corroborated by 4 sources) - An immediate evacuation was ordered for the Barabit-Lluban area in Krujë. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The operation utilized 21 firefighting vehicles, 3 helicopters, and Bayraktar TB2 drones. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A total of 23 fire outbreaks were reported across the country in the last 24 hours. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Krujë wildfires brought under control after major emergency operation Authorities have controlled a major wildfire in Krujë, Albania, after an intense operation involving helicopters and drones. No casualties were reported, though one warehouse was destroyed. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanias-ministry-of-defense-reports-nine-forest-fires-under-control ### 2026-08-05: Albania fights multiple forest fires across districts Albania reported 14 forest fires in ten hours, seven still active, with major hotspots in Mallakastër, Dajti and Elbasan; 29 fire trucks, 246 staff, a helicopter and an Air Tractor are battling the blazes, and 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albania-fights-multiple-forest-fires-across-districts ### 2026-08-05: Albanian firefighters combat wildfires amid European heatwave Albanian firefighters fought a Mallakaster wildfire, evacuating 15 families, as a heatwave sweeps southern Europe, prompting red alerts in Italy, power cuts in Hungary, and severe agricultural losses in the UK. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-firefighters-combat-wildfires-amid-european-heatwave ### 2026-08-02: Albania confronts multiple wildfires in Gramsh and Finiq regions Albania faced two forest fires in August 2026—one in Gramsh’s Malin e Vinës, contained after a difficult foot operation, and another in Finiq’s Matomara, prompting Deputy Ina Zhupa to demand a full government‑s 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albania-confronts-multiple-wildfires-in-gramsh-and-finiq-regions ### 2026-07-18: Algeria battles dozens of forest fires as heatwave fuels blazes Algeria fought 73‑138 forest fires across wilayas, deploying aerial bombers and army units; 40 fires contained, evacuations of dozens of families, and medical aid for 20 people. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-and-france-combat-widespread-wildfires --- Cite as: 2026 Mediterranean wildfires persist. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-mediterranean-wildfires