As wildfires fanned by an extreme heatwave and strong winds sweep through Southern Albania, 61-year-old farmer Clirim Conku recounts his ordeal battling the blaze and saving his house, while losing all his livestock.

Southern Albania

Wildfires intensified by a severe heatwave and strong winds have caused widespread destruction in southern Albania. At least 24 wildfires were reported across the country, with significant damage to homes, agricultural land, and livestock in affected villages such as Skenderbegas.

Residents like Klerim Konku faced the loss of decades of work, with storage buildings, vineyards, and olive fields destroyed. Firefighters, supported by helicopters, are working to prevent further spread of the fires, while some residents have begun returning home. Despite the devastation, survivors are focusing on recovery and rebuilding.

Heatwave-fueled wildfires hit Southern Albania

While his farm lies in ruins, 61-year-old Klerim Konku is relieved to have survived the wildfires that tore through his farm in southern Albania. They're a product of an extreme heatwave that has swept across southern Europe. Combined with strong winds, they fanned those flames, burning in Albania. On Wednesday, Albanian officials counted at least 24 wildfires across the country. Konku watched firefighters evacuate his wife, Manu Shack, on Tuesday. But he stayed behind, wanting to save his farmland and his home. I was using everything to keep the flames out. For example, to fight the smoke. This napkin has saved my life. I put some water on it, but it stayed wet with more sweat. This napkin saved my life. Simply, I was very careful with everything I was doing, and with absolute calmness. I could have ended up encircled by flames and would never be able to get out. His storage buildings were now a pile of ash. But Konku said at least the four walls of his house were still standing. I wanted to save the storage buildings, and when I saw, I could not do it. I just couldn't save my 35 years of work. Then God gave me power to save the house, at least to be able to sleep inside. All the other things have gone 100 percent. All the products, all the vineyards, the olive fields. Officials say the fire close to Konku's village, Skenderbegas, destroyed more than 30 homes and agricultural land. He says he lost all his animals except his faithful dog, Dasti. Only the dog survived from the animals we had. I unfastened his chain, and he was always following me all the time. He was scared. He never left me alone. All the time, he was with me. On Wednesday, firefighters continued to fight the blaze. They sent four helicopters to stop the spread of flames toward more residential areas near Konku's house. His wife was also allowed to return home. My husband fought hard with flames, but I'm so happy that my husband is alive. I don't want to know what we lost. I will work to recreate it again. The only victory we had is that my husband is alive.

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