Denada Jushi
For more than 24 hours, flames, smoke and heavy winds in Bushat, Shkodra have once again brought back the problem of fires in landfills overflowing with waste.
In addition to the alarming health and environmental situation that such fires bring, repeated cases are risking being seen as a "solution".
They erupt every year, often in the same places, releasing toxic smoke, endangering the health of residents and highlighting failures in urban waste management.
In Shkodra, flames engulfed large areas of debris, while thick smoke spread to surrounding areas. Firefighters from several municipalities were deployed to bring the situation under control.
But cases are also repeated in:
Elbasan, where the landfill has become a symbol of the waste crisis in the country.
In the summer of 2025, a massive fire engulfed the landfill and raged for nearly a week. The flames spread deep into the layers of waste, making it difficult to extinguish, while toxic smoke blanketed the city for days. Residents reported difficulty breathing, while experts raised the alarm about air pollution rising to dangerous levels.
For days, life in the city became difficult.
But what makes the Elbasan case even more worrying is the repetition. The fires are not rare incidents, but occur from time to time, often linked to landfill overcrowding and the incinerator not functioning effectively. In some cases, the fires are suspected to be intentional, used as a way to reduce the volume of waste and create space for new landfills.
In Vlora, the situation presents the same worrying pattern. The city's landfill has been engulfed in flames several times in recent years, with recurring episodes almost every season.
In November 2024, another fire was reported at this landfill: thick smoke, firefighters' intervention and residents' concern. Reports indicate that waste burning in this area occurs several times a year, which makes it clear that we are not dealing with random accidents, but with an ongoing structural problem.
In Vlora, the situation has often occurred at the peak of the tourist season, also causing damage to this sector.
Another landfill that had fires was the one in Orikum, with the same scenario.
In all cases, one element is common: Landfills are overloaded and often outside the required standards. The lack of source separation, recycling and proper waste treatment creates constant pressure on these spaces, turning them into "environmental bombs" ready to explode at any moment.
Environmental experts warn that landfill fires are not just a management problem, but also a serious public health risk. Burning waste releases hazardous substances, including dioxins and toxic gases, which can have long-term effects on the body, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases and cancer.
Another problem remains the institutional response. In most cases, intervention comes after the fire has reached large proportions. The lack of continuous monitoring, preventive systems and transparency in landfill management makes the situation even more serious. Even when the fires are extinguished, investigations into their causes and perpetrators are lacking.
Meanwhile, Albania aspires to integrate into the European Union, where waste management standards are much stricter. European policies call for reducing landfill and increasing recycling, while uncontrolled waste incineration is considered a serious environmental violation.
The repeated cases in Elbasan, Vlora and Shkodra are not simply chronicles of fires, but clear evidence of a system that does not function.acqj.al
