Albania Forest fires - Summer 2007

Description of the emergency and request for assistance

During the summer of 2007, Albania turned for assistance to Europe twice in its fight against forest fires. Severe forest fires had been ravaging Albania towards the end of July. Forests were eaten up by the nationwide fires, with the high temperatures sparking off as many as 40 new fires every day. Albania requested assistance for aerial means through the Community Civil Protection Mechanism on 25 July 2007. Light rains at the end of the first week of August eased the situation which prompted Albania to withdraw the request for aerial means. Nevertheless the request for fire fighting equipment was retained. 

The second request for assistance reached the MIC on  24 August 2007. Fires had spread in the mountainous areas of Korça, Ersekë, Veleçik, Mirditë and Kukës. Consequently, Albania requested the MIC to ask participating states to provide two Canadairs.

Assistance sent

For Albania's first request for assistance, a number of participating states to the Community Civil Protection Mechanism provided assistance to the country. Germany provided two fire-fighting helicopters; Italy provided two fire-fighting aircraft; while fire-fighting equipment and protective gear was provided by Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Greece also offered 2 Canadairs but this was not required due to the improving weather conditions. this was declined due to improving weather conditions. An aircraft “Antonov 32” was also provided to Albania by Ukraine on a bilateral basis.

When the August emergency reached the MIC, several Member States were battling fires on their home ground. Additionally, the forest fire emergency in Greece absorbed most of the Canadairs that could have been made available. As a result, the Mechanism could not provide any Canadairs to Albania immediately. However assistance through the Mechanism also made its way to Albania, with one Canadair provided by Italy and two helicopters provided by Germany.