Italy calls for EU help to tame Sardinia fires
Rome, Jul 26 (EFE).- Italy was fighting severe wildfires Monday with the air support of other European countries like France and Greece, as the flames spread across the western strip of the island, having already torched more than 20,000 hectares of land.
The fires were first declared in the Oristano province where forests and farmland have been destroyed and 1,500 people have been forced to flee their homes.
Italian firefighters resumed efforts to control the flames with the air support of five Canadair planes provided by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.
The wildfire started on Friday night in a forest area of mount Montiferru and was fuelled by the wind and high temperatures helping it spread towards nearby villages Santu Lussugiu, Cuglieri, Tresnuraghes, Frossio, Sennariolo and Usellus.
The cause of the wildfires is still unknown.
According to local media, authorities are considering the possibility that it stemmed from another incident earlier that day, caused by a car on fire that might have been negligently put out.
The regional government of Sardinia has declared a state of emergency and deemed the damages “immeasurable.”
Regional authorities have asked the national government to help the affected areas with funds from the Covid-19 pandemic Recovery Plan reserved for reforestation. EFE
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