Firefighters Deployed in Albania Have Had Little Success, Fire Spreading Further

Bratislava/Koder/Bletez, 13 August (TASR) - Efforts by Slovak firefighters to tackle wildfires near the Albanian towns of Koder and Bletez on Tuesday had only little effect, the Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ) reported on social media on Wednesday, adding that the situation in the country is critical, as fires continue to spread. "A unit was deployed in the Koder area yesterday morning (12 August). Subsequently, an aerial team was called in to assist with the critical situation in the Bletez area, where fatalities had been reported. The aerial and ground teams of the Slovak and Czech teams separated as a result," added HaZZ. Despite 37 water drops from a helicopter on Tuesday, attempts to extinguish the fires near Bletez were limited in their effects due to flames reaching heights of up to 20 metres. Meanwhile, the fire near Koder has spread again. On Wednesday, the unit was sent to the town of Delvine to protect homes and factories. "The operation is being made less effective by frequent relocations and the inability to refuel on site, which shortens the time available for putting out the fires," HaZZ noted. On Sunday (10 August), HaZZ announced that Slovakia had been asked to help fight fires in Albania, adding that a Black Hawk helicopter with a Slovak crew had departed on the same day. jrg/df/ko