A major wildfire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Soda Forest in the southern Albanian city of Vlora, sending thick plumes of smoke over large parts of the city and prompting an extensive emergency response.

The fire erupted inside the pine forest near the railway line in the Zvërnec area, with smoke visible from several neighbourhoods across Vlora.

Police officers and firefighting crews were dispatched to the scene immediately after the blaze was reported. Emergency teams are working to contain and extinguish the flames, but officials say operations have been complicated by dense vegetation and strong winds that are fuelling the fire's rapid spread.

According to local fire service sources, firefighters are currently battling five separate wildfires across the Vlora region at the same time, stretching available resources. In addition to the Soda Forest blaze, emergency crews are responding to fires in Dukat, near the Llogara Tunnel, the Freight Park area, and Triport.

The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined the total area affected. Firefighters continue efforts to bring the situation under control as operations remain ongoing.