TIRANA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Some 2,700 soldiers or one third of Albanian Armed Forces are helping firefighting teams here to battle and put out several wildfires spread in different regions of Albania, it was reported Tuesday.
Albanian Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli said Tuesday that Albanian military personnel have assisted in battling fires for over a month.
"Apart from the personnel, there are also two military helicopters directly involved in putting out the fires that have hit our country in recent weeks," Kodheli said.
According to the minister, the management of fires was difficult due to the prolonged draught and heat wave.
Kodheli also thanked Greek and Italian authorities for extending help to Albania.
Upon the request of the Albanian government last week, Greece and Italy sent two helicopters each to assist Albanian authorities to cope with the situation.
Kodheli stressed the fires had cost Albania 30 million lek or 266,000 U.S. dollars.
