Heavy rain kills Albania wildfires, sparks chaos

Torrential rain has wiped out around 90% of the wildfires that raged across Albania after weeks of blistering heat.

Officials say most fires are now contained, but the weather brought new challenges. A rockslide briefly blocked a key national highway, while strong winds with rain damaged trees, rooftops, and awnings in several cities.

The downpour has eased the wildfire threat but raised concerns over flash floods and storm damage. Forecasters warn of possible thunderstorms and heavy rain in northern and coastal areas in the coming days.

Emergency crews remain on high alert, shifting focus from fire control to clearing debris and monitoring the storm risk as Albania transitions from extreme heat to sudden rainfall.