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Help from above - UAE helicopter crews provide assistance as Albania gripped by raging wildfires

Help from above - UAE helicopter crews provide assistance as Albania gripped by raging wildfires

"A rescue team from the UAE is continuing efforts to tackle the massive wildfires spreading across several regions of Albania. Footage captured on Wednesday shows UAE personnel preparing for take-off, with aircraft seen dropping water on the blazes. According to the UAE News Agency (WAM), the team has so far carried out 27 specialised aerial sorties using two Black Hawk helicopters. These included 680 targeted water drops on fire hotspots, deploying more than 1,261 tonnes of water in total, a contribution that has played a major role in containing and slowing the spread of the flames. The agency reported crews faced extreme challenges, including soaring temperatures and difficult terrain. Operations have been conducted in close cooperation with Albanian authorities. The deployment follows the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to assist Albania in bringing the fires under control. The team began its missions in the forests of Gramsh, Ballolli, the coastal area of Vlore and other affected regions. Meetings between the UAE team and Albanian officials are underway to speed up firefighting operations and to ensure constant monitoring of extinguished areas to prevent flare-ups."