
UAE firefighting team begins operations to combat Albania wildfires
The team arrived in Albania yesterday with qualified personnel for such operations, along with helicopters, equipment, and necessary firefighting materials.
Helicopters carried out several sorties over the areas of Petrela and Gramsh, as well as other wildfire locations. Emirati crews, supported by advanced and modern equipment, took part in the firefighting efforts despite challenging weather conditions.
Several Albanian officials participating in the operation praised the UAE's role in extinguishing the fires and its swift response, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and the positive contribution of the participating team.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE embassy warns citizens in Spain of heat wave, wildfires
The UAE embassy in Spain warned citizens to exercise caution due to a severe heat wave. The heat has led to wildfires in most parts of the country, the mission said. The embassy stressed the need to follow safety instructions issued by the authorities. UAE citizens in Spain can contact 0097180024 or 0097180044444 for emergency cases. The UAE embassy also called on citizens in Spain to register in the Tawajudi service, which helps overseas Emiratis. On Thursday, Spanish authorities said one person battling flames in the northwestern Castile and Leon region had died, taking the toll to three after earlier reporting fatalities there and near Madrid this week. The fires have particularly scorched Spain this year, devouring over 157,000 hectares — more than triple the area burned during the same period in 2024.


The National
a day ago
- The National
UAE helicopters drops 400,000 litres of water on raging Albanian wildfires to aid relief effort
Helicopters sent by the UAE have dropped more than 400,000 litres of water on wildfires raging across Albania under a major relief mission. An Emirati emergency task force arrived in Albania on Monday – on the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed – to provide crucial support to authorities battling to contain a spate of intense blazes fuelled by soaring summer temperatures. An 80-year-old man died in a fire which broke out south of the capital of Tirana, Albanian officials confirmed on Wednesday. Residents in parts of Albania have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the wildfires, which have caused widespread damage to land and property. Emirati rescue units have conducted eight air sorties to date over affected areas in and around the forested town of Gramsh, carrying out 211 air drops of water. The UAE shared footage this week showing firefighting helicopters – often referred to as water bombers – collecting water in containers attached to their craft from the sea before depositing the liquid from the skies on to fierce flames below. Co-ordinated response The UAE task force – comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior, represented by Abu Dhabi Civil Defence – on Wednesday held a meeting with Albanian officials to discuss the emergency operation. The Albanian officials thanked the UAE for its support and praised the professionalism of the response teams. Meanwhile, one of Greece's largest cities is bearing the brunt of fast-spreading fires, exacerbated by extreme heat and high winds. Evacuations have been reported in Patras, which has a population of about 200,000 people, while lands covering nearly 10,000 hectares have been burnt in the surrounding Achaea region this week. Pledging support Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, spoke by phone with Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro, to discuss forest fires affecting some areas of the Balkans country. Sheikh Abdullah expressed the UAE's solidarity with Montenegro in facing these 'exceptional circumstances' and said the Emirates was ready to provide necessary support to mitigate the impact of the fires.


The National
a day ago
- The National
UAE helicopters drop 400,000 litres of water on raging Albanian wildfires to aid relief effort
Helicopters sent by the UAE have dropped more than 400,000 litres of water on wildfires raging across Albania under a major relief mission. An Emirati emergency task force arrived in Albania on Monday – on the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed – to provide crucial support to authorities battling to contain a spate of intense blazes fuelled by soaring summer temperatures. An 80-year-old man died in a fire which broke out south of the capital of Tirana, Albanian officials confirmed on Wednesday. Residents in parts of Albania have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the wildfires, which have caused widespread damage to land and property. Emirati rescue units have conducted eight air sorties to date over affected areas in and around the forested town of Gramsh, carrying out 211 air drops of water. The UAE shared footage this week showing firefighting helicopters – often referred to as water bombers – collecting water in containers attached to their craft from the sea before depositing the liquid from the skies on to fierce flames below. Co-ordinated response The UAE task force – comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior, represented by Abu Dhabi Civil Defence – on Wednesday held a meeting with Albanian officials to discuss the emergency operation. The Albanian officials thanked the UAE for its support and praised the professionalism of the response teams. Meanwhile, one of Greece's largest cities is bearing the brunt of fast-spreading fires, exacerbated by extreme heat and high winds. Evacuations have been reported in Patras, which has a population of about 200,000 people, while lands covering nearly 10,000 hectares have been burnt in the surrounding Achaea region this week. Pledging support Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, spoke by phone with Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro, to discuss forest fires affecting some areas of the Balkans country. Sheikh Abdullah expressed the UAE's solidarity with Montenegro in facing these 'exceptional circumstances' and said the Emirates was ready to provide necessary support to mitigate the impact of the fires.