Albania Detains 18 On Charges Of Starting Fires

Tirana, Albania: Albanian authorities have arrested 18 people on charges of starting wildfires across the country, police told AFP on Tuesday.

Since mid-June, more than 12,000 hectares, including forests and olive groves, have been damaged by fires in the Balkan country, according to environmental groups.

Several dozen fires have broken out in recent days, some not far from the tourist coast.

"Arson is not just a crime -- it is also a threat to life, nature, and the future," the Albanian interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Those convicted of setting a fire intentionally face up to five years in prison, "but if it (the fire) causes considerable material damage or has serious consequences for people's lives and health, the penal code provides for 10 to 15 years in prison," the ministry said.

A few active fires were burning in Albania on Tuesday, with a forecasted drop in temperatures expected to aid in containment efforts.

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