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TIRANA, Albania, Aug 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Wildfires forced evacuations and reportedly destroyed several homes in Albania, as firefighters battled blazes across the country on Monday.

Over a dozen fires were active in the Balkan nation, after hundreds of firefighters and soldiers controlled most of nearly 40 fires that flared in the last 24 hours, according to the defence ministry.

Fires continue to burn in the southern coastal area of Finiq, around 160 kilometres south of the capital, where about 10 people were evacuated and several homes were razed, according to local media.

Earlier flames driven by wind and intense heat spread to the hills around the central southern city of Polican, prompting the evacuation of elderly residents from a care home and six families from nearby villages.

The ministry said the fire had been controlled with no threat to surrounding communities.

Around 800 Albanian troops have been deployed, along with military aircraft and helicopters from surrounding countries, to battle the wildfires.

Since the start of July, nearly 34,000 hectares (85,000 acres) have been scorched nationwide, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

Police allege that many of the blazes have been deliberately lit, with over 20 people arrested in recent weeks.

"An intentional fire is not only a crime, but a betrayal," Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement.

Several parts of the Balkans are tipped to climb above 40C this week, as a heatwave sweeps the region, with some of the highest temperatures expected in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia.

In Croatia, around 150 firefighters spent the night defending homes from a blaze near the port city of Split.