Fires and fear in Catania province: fires in San Gregorio, Palagonia, Vizzini, and Caltagirone.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Fiamme e paura nella provincia di Catania: incendi a San Gregorio, Palagonia, Vizzini e Caltagirone

Fires have returned to the province of Catania with several interventions already carried out by the firefighters. A large fire broke out on the hill of San Gregorio in the late morning of today, June 20. The fire spread rapidly and the high temperatures reached in Sicily, hit by the anticyclone Minosse, continue to fuel the flames. A large column of black smoke is visible from different areas of Catania, as well as from the A/18 highway and the beach.

Dozens of calls have been received by the firefighters’ central office, who have sent several ground teams to the scene. Aerial intervention is not ruled out in the coming hours, in case of difficulties in the extinguishing operations, as many houses are nearby. Other fires have broken out in Biancavilla, Palagonia, Vizzini, Misterbianco, and Caltagirone.

In the past hours, several fires have occurred on the island, in Agrigento and particularly in the province. The area of Piano Gatta, near the municipal cemetery, has been engulfed in flames, destroying hectares of Mediterranean scrubland. The flames, fueled by the wind and high temperatures, spread within minutes and a massive intervention by firefighters, forest rangers, and civil protection has already been launched overnight. The fire has caused panic and fear among those living nearby as there are various country houses in the area. Arson cannot be ruled out: someone may have triggered the flames from the undergrowth covering the land.