UAE deploys helicopters to battle Albanian wildfires, drops 400,000 litres of water

The UAE helicopters have dropped more than 400,000 litres of water on wildfires raging across Albania, as part of a major relief mission ordered by President Sheikh Mohamed. An Emirati emergency task force arrived on Monday to assist authorities in controlling the wildfire fuelled by summer temperatures.

Albanian officials confirmed the death of an 80-year-old man in a fire south of Tirana. Several residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as flames destroyed land and property in multiple areas.

UAE rescue teams have so far conducted eight air sorties over affected zones, particularly around the forested town of Gramsh. A total of 211 water drops have been carried out. Footage released this week showed helicopters collecting water from the sea before releasing it over fierce flames.

The task force includes members from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior, with Abu Dhabi Civil Defence. On Wednesday, Emirati and Albanian officials held a meeting to coordinate the emergency operation. Albanian authorities praised the professionalism of the UAE teams and expressed gratitude for the swift response.

Elsewhere in the region, wildfires have also hit parts of southern Europe. In Greece, the city of Patras has been affected by fast-moving fires driven by extreme heat and high winds, with evacuations reported and nearly 10,000 hectares burned in the surrounding Achaea region.

In a related development, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajic about fires affecting the Balkan country. He conveyed the UAE’s solidarity and readiness to provide the necessary support to help contain the crisis.