The situation in Himara has improved significantly today, after the dramatic night the area experienced due to the large fire, which spread rapidly from the hills towards residential areas. Firefighters managed to bring the main front under control, while operations continue to completely extinguish the scattered outbreaks.
The fire broke out on Friday night and reached the area of Agios Michail, near the Himara ring road. Due to strong winds, the flames quickly headed towards the Potami area and neighboring homes, creating particularly dangerous conditions for residents and tourists.
The fire destroyed seven homes. At the same time, large areas of olive groves were burned, causing significant damage to producers in the area. No injuries have been reported, as residents and tourists were evacuated from the threatened areas in time.
A night of anguish for residents and tourists
Himara, which still hosts a large number of tourists, experienced scenes of panic. Residents and tourists abandoned homes, hotels and rented rooms, transporting their essential belongings to safer areas, while flames lit up the surrounding hills.
A tourist accommodation owner said all guests were evacuated as a precaution for safety reasons, adding that several had contacted her again to see if they could return. Other residents described the difficult times they had experienced, saying they had to leave their homes at the last minute, while their olive groves were completely destroyed by the fire.
Dozens of firefighting forces from various regions of Albania, with the assistance of the Army, participated in the battle with the flames throughout the night. According to the Albanian Minister of Defense, Ermal Nufi, 171 members of the Armed Forces, ten military vehicles, a fire truck and an ambulance participated in the operations, which remained at the side of the residents throughout the night.
With the first light of day, a firefighting helicopter joined the operations, while ground forces continue the work of completely extinguishing the fire and preventing resurgence.
Although most of the fire has now been brought under control, firefighting forces remain on alert, as weather conditions continue to create the risk of new flare-ups.
