Fire in Altofonte, situation under control. Mayor: “It was an attack on the institutions.”

#Palermo
The forest rangers of Villagrazia and the firefighters are still inside the Valle Fico forest, which extends between Villagrazia di Palermo, Villa Ciambra, and Altofonte, because the forest is still burning. Although the situation seems to be under control compared to previous days. “We have ground teams working for many hours and keeping everything under control,” says Mayor Angela De Luca of Altofonte. “Fortunately, the area closest to the houses is not at risk. But,” she continues, “the valley is steep and the burning logs roll downhill, so we need to be present.”

The fires that put the firefighters and forest rangers to the test have practically been extinguished. Only black spots remain in Moarda, Re Bottone, and part of the Valle Fico ridge, which reaches the intermunicipal road 18. “Moarda,” she adds sadly, “has suffered another blow after the one three years ago. The undergrowth that had regrown, the young trees that were almost a meter high, unfortunately, are no longer there. Even from Palermo, it is visible that everything is practically charred. Only small patches of vegetation remain.”

Three years ago, right in the Moarda forest, after the widespread fire in Altofonte that caused a lot of damage and came close to the houses, ignition sources were found for the flames. Among them were animals used as fuses. “It’s not arsonists acting,” the mayor states firmly. “I no longer believe in arsonists. It’s impossible that there are so many pathological cases around. These acts,” she continues, “are done with awareness. The motivation is either economic interest or a way to discredit politics. The forest rangers have nothing to do with it. Those who work here would never do it; they love this territory. It’s a deliberate act of defacing the institutions. That’s the mantra for now. People think all institutions are terrible. But let these individuals come into these forests that we have,” says Angela De Luca angrily, “and then let’s see if they can keep them clean. We have forests full of stones, trees that have grown everywhere. Even if we hire 50,000 forest rangers,” she concludes, “how can they reach certain places? We can only drop them by helicopter from above.”


Incendio ad Altofonte, situazione sotto controllo. Il sindaco: «È stato un attacco alle istituzioni»

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