Italy on the front lines against fires in Albania: solidarity flies on Canadairs
Vast fires ravage Albania, Italy sends two Canadair CL415 firefighters
In a tangible demonstration of European solidarity, two Canadair CL415s of the Italian Fire Brigade ploughed the skies this morning, taking off from Ciampino airport bound for Albania. The mission, activated following an emergency request received by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels, is aimed at tackling the vast fires that have been ravaging some regions of the Balkan country for days.
An emergency that knows no boundaries
An exceptional heat wave. The fires raging in Albania are being fueled by a mix of factors, including high temperatures, prolonged drought and, in some cases, arson causes. The flames have already destroyed large areas of vegetation, putting homes and infrastructure at risk, and forcing the evacuation of many households. Faced with this unprecedented emergency, Italy has decided to intervene, sending two Canadair CL415 firefighters to support Albanian authorities in fighting the flames.
The request of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre
The request for assistance reached the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels, immediately activating the European civil protection mechanism. Italy, as a member country, responded promptly, making available two of its Canadair aircraft, already configured as rescEU-IT resources. This means that, if necessary, these aircraft can be sent anywhere in Europe and sometimes even beyond to deal with major emergencies.
Shengjin, one of the worst hit areas
Among the areas most affected by the fires is the municipality of Shengjin, located in the northern part of Albania. Here, the flames have already destroyed hectares of vegetation, putting homes, infrastructure and local biodiversity at risk. The highly specialized Italian crews will work in coordination with the Albanian ground teams to contain the advance of fire and protect the most vulnerable areas.
The challenge of combating forest fires
Combating forest fires is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Climate change, with rising average temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, is making these phenomena more frequent and intense.
Canadair, thanks to their ability to release large quantities of water in a few seconds, is a fundamental tool for fighting fires. However, the effectiveness of these aircraft is closely linked to the timeliness of the intervention and the availability of adequate ground infrastructure.
Prevention: the most effective weapon
While it is essential to have effective means of extinguishing fires, it is equally important to invest in prevention. The creation of fire barriers, sustainable forest management and public awareness are just some of the measures that can help reduce the risk of fires.
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