Fire night in the province of Palermo: several fires broke out from the city to the surrounding municipalities, from 8pm yesterday until dawn today, more than 40 firefighters intervened. The most worrying fire was the one in the Brancaccio district, between via San Ciro and via Fichidindia. The flames, fueled by the strong heat and the sirocco wind, threatened homes and a petrol station. About 20 families evacuated.
People, many of them wearing masks to try to protect themselves from the unbreathable air, fled into the streets, some people climbed onto the roofs of houses, while police officers also came to the population’s aid. Unfortunately, the climatic conditions did not facilitate the work of the firefighters who were engaged in operations throughout the night. This morning there are still outbreaks which, however, appear to be limited.
The flames devastated a citrus grove and some land, much of which was uncultivated and abandoned. Also yesterday evening a large fire broke out in Altofonte, in the Torrettella district. The ERA Palermo organization operated together with the firefighters and forestry services. Only at dawn were the flames put out. Fires are reported on the slopes of the Gibilrossa mountains, in Piana degli Albanesi, in Gratteri, in Misilmeri, in Torretta and in Prizzi. Three Canadianairs already in flight.
Yesterday several fires broke out in the Palermo area. Among these, the one on the railway line between Cinisi and Partinico near Montelepre in the Monte Palmeto area, with traffic blocked. In that area, the firefighters rescued three people present in their home which was the target of the flames.
Even today, a heat wave and fire risk alert is expected in some Sicilian provinces and in some small municipalities in the Palermo area the mayors have decided to keep schools closed. This is the last phase of summer heat, anomalous for the end of September, just a few more hours and from Sunday in the south and in Sicily the temperatures will drop and there will be rain.
