Another day of fire in Sardinia.
A large fire broke out in the early afternoon in the Sinnai countryside, in the San Gregorio area near the Vecchia Orientale highway . Two fires were identified in the small hamlet, where a Superpuma operating on Portoscuso was diverted. Two light helicopters from the regional fleet, an Italian Air Force vehicle stationed in Decimomannu, and two Canadairs also responded to the scene.
The flames quickly engulfed several hectares of Mediterranean scrub and woodland, coming dangerously close to homes. One house and the Casa Monsignor Angioni religious complex, a facility run by nuns that houses several elderly people, were evacuated . In total, the Forestry Corps reports, ten people were evacuated.
Sinnai Mayor Barbara Pusceddu also arrived on the scene: "The flames are right on the slope above the retirement home run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. I'm here, and it's raining ash," she said, explaining that the municipality had organized a van for the eventual evacuation, which ultimately proved necessary, with long lines of cars heading towards Quartu. The elderly and the nuns were taken away in a van and escorted by local police.
The smoke-filled air reached several homes and the bar-restaurant on the road, along the Vecchia 125, traffic was blocked by the local police.
The Campu Omu Forestry Station's DOS is coordinating the firefighting operations. Several firefighting teams, the Forestry Corps, and numerous volunteer associations are operating on the ground.
Other fires that required the dispatch of a helicopter broke out in the countryside of Uta (Is Stracoxiu) and San Vito (San Priamo).
(Unioneonline/L)