A major wildfire has hit Italy’s Gargano Peninsula, triggering emergency evacuations in several tourist areas and raising alarm over the rapid spread of flames toward the coast and residential areas.
The flames descended from rural areas toward the coast
The fire broke out in the rural and outlying area of the municipality of Peschici, in the province of Foggia, near Manaccora Bay. Within a short time, the flames reached the coastal areas of Peschici and Vieste, two of the best-known summer destinations in that part of Italy.
The spread of the fire has been fueled by high temperatures and strong southwesterly winds, which have pushed the flames rapidly through natural vegetation and toward areas with tourists and residents.
Tourists evacuated by boat, campsites emptied
On the affected beaches, tourists were evacuated by coast guard boats, while local media report that so far there are no reports of injuries or fatalities.
The situation also worsened along the coast of Lower Molise, on the border with Gargano, where the evacuation of tourists from campsites and beach resorts was ordered. In addition, 21 elderly residents from a nursing home were moved to church and parish buildings.
Air and ground response
Two Canadair firefighting aircraft are operating in the area affected by the flames, together with Civil Protection personnel, in an effort to bring the situation under control.
However, images from the area show a fire front stretching over a wide area, while thick clouds of smoke are visible from dozens of kilometers away along the coast.
Smoke disrupts traffic and heightens the danger
In addition to the direct threat to tourist and residential areas, the fire has also created problems for movement on the ground. Tall columns of smoke have affected road and rail traffic, adding to the difficulties in an area heavily frequented during the summer season.
The toll remains open, while the advance of the flames and the effects on infrastructure are turning the Gargano fire into a serious emergency for local authorities.
So far, no fatalities have been reported, but the scale of the fire and the speed of its spread are keeping the situation at a high level of alert.
On the ground, the main challenge remains containing the flames before they push deeper into residential and tourist areas.