Wildfires rage in southern Albania prompting evacuations

On August 5, 2026, Albanian firefighting authorities began battling significant forest fires in the Mallakaster region of southern Albania. The emergency situation has forced the evacuation of 15 families along with their livestock, as ground and aerial units work to protect residences in the village of Riban.

Efforts to contain the blaze are currently hindered by extreme heat and drought conditions in the region. Simultaneously, authorities are dealing with a second wildfire occurring south of Gjirokaster. While the specific cause of the Mallakaster fire remains unidentified, officials report that the fire near Gjirokaster was likely triggered by a lightning strike.

These incidents take place amidst a period of high temperatures and dry weather, which have heightened the risk of fire across the country. Emergency response teams remain deployed in both areas, focusing on preventing the spread of flames toward residential property and monitoring the environmental conditions to manage the ongoing threat.