Another day of fires in Sicily: flames also in the reserve of the Belice River mouth

Last Updated: June 22, 2024

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

Twelve fires today in Sicily have seen forestry workers, firefighters, and Civil Protection volunteers engaged in the provinces of Agrigento (3 fires), Caltanissetta (4), Catania (4), Enna (1), Palermo (1), and Trapani (1). A thirteenth fire occurred between the provinces of Agrigento and Trapani.

Flames in Agrigento, in Cianciana, in the Bissana district; in Licata in the Sant’Oliva district, in Santo Stefano Quisquina in the Fontanele district. In Nisseno in Mazzarino in the Cimia district, in Santa Caterina Villarmosa in the Bivio Noce district, in Butera in the la Carruba district. In Palermo, in Belmonte Mezzagno, in the Casale district. In Catania, in San Gregorio di Catania, in the Carubbazza district, in Biancavilla in the Solicchiata district, in Castiglione di Sicilia. In Enna in Aidone, in the Cozzo del Medico district and in Trapani in Buseto Palizzolo in the Blandano district.

There were also flames in a large vegetation area on the coast between Porto Palo di Menfi and Marinella di Selinunte, at the height of the former railway tollgate 11. The flames developed among the undergrowth and firefighters and forest corps agents prevented the flames from reaching some inhabited houses. A forest helicopter also flew over the area.

For several days now, in the Catania area, a plan of interventions to protect public safety is underway in areas at high risk of fires, ordered by the Municipality to protect areas at risk of flames spreading due to overgrown vegetation. Following a provision of Mayor Trantino, the municipal Landscape and Urban Green service has identified the areas most at risk for a total of 96 zones between San Giovanni Galermo, Librino, Villaggio Sant’Agata, and Monte Po. Priority has been given to those located near buildings or adjacent to parking areas, where the risk to public safety has been classified as high. The company that won the contract is Intercontinentale servizio igiene srl from Messina for a contractual amount of nearly 210 thousand euros, which, to date, has carried out a good part of the work especially in the Librino area where some areas had not been treated for several years.