Pukë, 21 August 2026 — The wildfire situation in Tërbun Mountain and the surrounding areas of Pukë remains alarming. Fires continue to burn in the areas of Gojan i Madh, Gojan i Vogël and Gjegjan, with reports identifying Gojan i Vogël as one of the most critical areas due to the proximity of the flames to residential areas.
This is an environmental disaster, it is a human emergency.
The fires have placed residents at serious risk, forcing some families to leave their homes. In Gojan i Madh, authorities have ordered the immediate evacuation of residents as the advancing flames threaten the village.
After days of relentless wildfires, communities across the area are facing the very real threat of losing their homes, livestock shelters and livelihoods. Residents and firefighting crews are working under extremely difficult conditions to contain the advancing flames, while vast areas of forest have already been destroyed. Reports indicate that hundreds of hectares have been affected by the fires across the Pukë area.
PEOPLE AND FAMILIES MUST BE THE PRIORITY
Today, communities across Tërbun Mountain and the surrounding villages are facing a crisis they cannot manage alone.
Homes are at risk. Families are at risk. Lives are at risk.
PPNEA calls on the responsible authorities to immediately mobilize all available resources, personnel and capacities to protect people and contain the fires.
We urgently call for:
- The immediate reinforcement of firefighting capacity on the ground;
- Additional firefighting vehicles and equipment suitable for mountainous terrain;
- The continuation and strengthening of aerial firefighting operations in areas inaccessible to ground crews;
- The immediate protection and evacuation of families wherever their safety is at risk;
- Full coordination among central authorities, the Municipality of Pukë, emergency response structures, the Armed Forces, firefighters and local communities.
The difficult terrain and continued spread of the fires demand sustained resources, adequate capacity and coordinated action.
AN IRREPLACEABLE NATURAL HERITAGE IS ALSO BEING LOST
At the same time, the fires are destroying important forests and habitats across Tërbun Mountain and the surrounding areas.
What is being lost is far more than forest cover. Habitats, primary trees, shelter and food sources for dozens of wildlife species are being destroyed, an entire ecosystem that could take decades to recover.
Every hour that passes without sufficient intervention increases the threat to homes, families, forests and wildlife.
Tërbun Mountain and the communities of Pukë need help now.
