[REVISION HISTORY]

2026 Mediterranean wildfires persist

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-09 15:01 UTC → 2026-08-09 20:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~As of the morning of~~ By late on 7 August, the massive wildfire in the Krujë region was brought under ~~control.~~ control following an intense emergency operation.

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