A massive forest fire in Tuscany has spiralled out of control. For several days it has been burning the slopes of Mount Faeta in Lucca province, between the cities of Lucca and Pisa. The situation is dramatic – the fire is approaching residential buildings.
Since Thursday, around 3,500 people have been evacuated from the towns of San Giuliano Terme and Asciano. Entire villages are being emptied, and residents have spent the night in sports halls and temporary shelters. Many of them describe a true nightmare.
„We were woken by the sound of car horns. These were neighbours hurriedly leaving their homes. We saw flames rising, and the air was filled with a sharp, unbearable smell. We heard burning trees and people fleeing. It was a nightmare,” recounts one of the evacuees, Simona Rossi.
So far, around 800 hectares of forest have burned, and the toll is rising by the hour. The fire is being fuelled by strong winds. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters, which draw water from lakes, rivers and the sea, are taking part in the operation, along with numerous fire brigade crews and volunteers.
Local authorities suspect that the fire was started by uncontrolled burning of branches left after pruning olive trees.
The situation is fluid and remains very dangerous. Firefighters are battling the blaze on several fronts, and residents of threatened areas have been warned to be ready for immediate evacuation.
Tuscany – one of Italy’s most beautiful and most visited regions – is on fire. Emergency services are appealing for caution and asking people not to hinder rescue operations.
