01 Aug | Italy is burning
This summer has been marked by devastating wildfires across southern Europe, causing both human suffering and immense material and environmental damage.
Swaths of Southern and Central Italy are burning. The flames have been fueled by the region’s drought and high temperatures, although the local authorities say most were caused by arson.
Campania, Puglia and Calabria are the worst affected areas. Fires have been destroying olive groves, farms, woods and fields since early May.
More than 50 fires have been registered in the province of Salerno (Campania), Agropoli and Cilento. The population was evacuated from their homes and also schools and tourist facilities were closed.
The Coldiretti agriculture lobby stated that 50milion bees were destroyed, along with their hives, in fires on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Coldiretti said another estimated 205 million bees were disoriented by the smoke of the fires and have died as a result.
More than 26,000 hectares of bush land burned down in June 2017 alone, more than 93% of the total land lost to fires in 2016.
Firefighters are battling wildfires, backed by planes that dump water and fire retardant in the areas still ablaze.
Fires were also blazing across parts of bone-dry Portugal and in the southern France. In the last days, at least 12,000 people were evacuated in Cote d’Azur.
If you are in an emergency, call:
- 115, Pompieri (Fire Department)
- 118, Medical Emergency