From Lura to Dibër, Fier, Vlorë and further to Gjirokastër... the fires that broke out mainly this month have burned about 26 thousand hectares of forests and bushes. This is among the largest areas burned in the last decade. Compared to 2023 in total, the fires in 7 months of this year have burned almost 5 times more area.
"If we had anticipated the situation with protective measures, the burned area would have been significantly lower. Like every year, we face fires and huge costs due to negligence," Abdulla Diku, a forestry expert, tells A2 CNN.
Taking into account the costs of reforestation, land regeneration costs, and losses from burning timber, the economic damage from this year's fires is estimated at over 161 million euros.
"And the worst thing is that after several fires, the damage is irreversible. There are areas that cannot be recovered because the damage is irreversible. The soil has lost its regenerative capabilities and the area cannot be revitalized," says Diku.
According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, there have been 58 fires in forests and pastures so far.
Despite the rainfall in these first few days, experts estimate that the area and economic damage from the fires could expand as autumn approaches. "Over the years, we have had many fires during the autumn months. If we have high temperatures like this year, we risk having many fires," says Diku.
According to data from the Institute of Statistics, Mirdita, Puka, Shkodra, Mati, Dibra, Bulqiza, Librazhdi, Erseka and Korça are the areas with the highest rate of deforestation, mainly as a result of fires. (A2 Televizion)
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MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
