More than 100 people have been evacuated as dozens of fires continue to rip through Sicily. Wildefires broke out across the Italian island overnight forcing the evacuation of farms and homes.
The areas near Palermo and Agrigento were among the most affected, with columns of dark smoke are still clearly visible. In Carini, a town near Palermo, at least 40 homes were evacuated.
The town of Santo Stefano Quisquina, in the province of Agrigento, was also reached by the blaze and more than 100 people have already been evacuated as a precaution. Mayor Francesco Cacciatore said it was a “dramatic situation,” and urged residents of the worst affected districts to leave their homes “immediately”.
In Agrigento, La Repubblica reported, the flames also reached the edge of the Andromeda Theater, the open-air theater built with 108 stone blocks arranged like the stars of the Andromeda constellation.
Yesterday (21 July), blazes broke out in Catania as well, and firefighters attended to at least 11 reports of wildfires.
Italian media explained strong winds and hot temperatures are fuelling the fires which spread across Sicily’s mountainous areas, becoming visible for kilometers. A thick blanket of smoke has enveloped the surrounding municipalities, raining down soot on the residential areas, they also reported.
Crews from the civil protection, the fire brigade, and the forestry corps are currently responding to the emergencies across the island with the help of the local police force. Canadairs, a series of amphibious aircrafts, were also deployed to tackle the blazes.
Road closures are currently in place due to the fires. Blazes were also reported along the highway connecting Palermo to Catania. Several blackouts were also reported in a large area of central Palermo.
Newspaper La Repubblica also said families that were not directly threatened by the fires barricaded themselves in their homes, closing their doors and windows to try to keep the smoke out. “The heat was so intense that railings and doorknobs became red-hot. Smoke engulfed several neighborhoods, and by 4 am temperatures in the city exceeded 40 degrees Celsius,” it also added.
Huge fires were also reported earlier this week.
