The raging fires in Sardinia continue, with the island facing yet another weekend of emergency and numerous interventions by the Forestry Corps . Numerous fires have raged from north to south, closing highways for hours and causing disruptions to air travel at Olbia airport.
The afternoon
The first broke out in the countryside of Escalaplano , in the Riu Colla Colla area, where firefighting operations are coordinated by the Director of Firefighting Operations (DOS) of the Escalaplano forestry station, with the support of a helicopter that took off from the Villasalto base. Flames are also burning in the Cabras area, in the Pauli Acqua Urchi area. A helicopter from the Fenosu base is operating on site, while coordination is entrusted to the DOS of the Oristano forestry station.
The third fire broke out in the municipality of Uras , in the Riu Perdosu area. Two helicopters were deployed, including a Super Puma from the Alà dei Sardi base and another aircraft from Bosa. A Canadair Can-12, diverted by the Morgongiori fire, was also dispatched to support the fire. The Marrubiu forestry station is on site. The fourth fire is affecting the San Gavino Monreale area, in the Pranu Bettus area, where a helicopter from the Pula base is operating. The extinguishing operations are being coordinated by the DOS (Operation and Prevention Unit) of the Villacidro forestry station. To allow for safe interventions, the Carabinieri of the Villacidro station ordered the closure of state road 197 between San Gavino Monreale and Gonnosfanadiga. The road was reopened when safety conditions returned.
Emergency in Olbia
Within hours of the first four fires, the emergency affected new areas of the island. The fire broke out in Olbia, in the Padrongiano area, where the DOS (Operating System for the Prevention of Fire) at the Olbia station is coordinating the extinguishing operations with the support of two helicopters from the Limbara and Farcana helicopter bases, and two Canadair aircraft, CAN 8 and CAN 12. Due to the flames, Anas (National Road Authority) closed a section of the 125 highway between kilometer markers 308 and 310. Numerous flights bound for the Costa Smeralda have been diverted to Cagliari and Alghero. Cleanup operations are currently underway.
Disruption at Olbia airport due to several flights being diverted.
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/gallura/incendio-vicino-allaeroporto-di-olbia-voli-dirottati-su-cagliari-e-alghero-mcd240fqIn the Middle Campidano
Another fire has been reported in the Gonnosfanadiga area, in the Spadula area. A helicopter from the Fenosu base is operating on site, while the operations are being coordinated by the DOS (Operation and Prevention Unit) of the Villacidro forestry station. The third fire is affecting the municipality of Siliqua, in the Riu Pittiu area, where a helicopter from the San Cosimo base is operating.
In the Oristano area
The emergency continues in the Oristano area, where this morning the Forestry Corps responded to two fires, one in the countryside of the municipality of Narbolia, in the Su Zippiri area, and the other in Morgongiori, in the Is Benas area. Two helicopters, including the Super Puma and the Canadair, responded to the fires.
Highway 131 closed due to fire
Shortly before 4:00 PM, the flames broke out between Marrubiu and Terralba, a short distance from State Road 131. Traffic was blocked in both directions, resulting in long traffic jams. A SuperPuma and a Canadair responded to the scene. As ANAS announced in a statement, "mandatory exits have been established at kilometer markers 67 and 76, with a detour onto Provincial Road 46 and State Road 126." The road reopened around 6:00 PM.
(Unioneonline/vf)