Arson carries up to 15 years in prison

People who set fires in Albania can face up to 15 years in prison, the Interior Ministry warned as the summer fire season begins.

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said fires caused by people put lives, homes, forests and public property at risk.

He said setting fires should be treated as a crime, not simple carelessness.

Intentional fires can carry five to eight years in prison if they are set during hot weather, near homes or in conditions that help flames spread.

The sentence can rise to 10 years if fires damage protected areas, cultural sites, religious buildings or key infrastructure.

Fires set to change the use of land can carry seven to 15 years in prison.

Lamallari said every fire forces emergency crews to respond and leaves damage for communities and future generations.