TIRANA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Albania has been engulfed by an unusual heat wave that has caused massive fires in many areas of the country.
Many hectares of land, pastures and trees have been burnt, local authorities said.
"Around 12 fires have broken out on a national level in the past 24 hours in Albania, "the country's General Department of Civil Emergencies confirmed Friday.
Many fires have been identified in Shkodra, Dibra (northern Albania), Berat, Tirana, Durres, Fier (central Albania) and Vlora and Gjirokastra (southern Albania).
According to sources from Civil Emergencies department, the situation of fire is difficult to manage given that fires are favored by high temperature all over the country.
Weather forecasts showed Friday that the temperature during weekend would reach 40 degrees Celsius.
This has made Albanian authorities engage around 95 firefighters, 19 vehicles, 30 army officials, 20 voluntary forces and local residents to fight with the fires.
Civil Emergency service also urged citizens to be cautious and immediately report potential blazes by calling emergency numbers.
