Around 3,500 people in Tuscany were evacuated on Friday due to a wildfire that has been burning for more than 24 hours in this tourist region in central-western Italy, Italian authorities said.
“Approximately 3,500 people are affected,” the municipality of San Giuliano Terme said in a statement, adding that “the wind has pushed the flames further down the slope toward the village of Asciano.”
More than 800 hectares have been destroyed by the fire in the mountains between the cities of Lucca and Pisa.
According to the statement, three Canadair water-bombing aircraft and a helicopter are continuing to douse the area where the fire broke out. Nineteen fire engines have been deployed, while the army and police are taking part in evacuation operations.
Two gymnasiums in the region, equipped to receive evacuees, are currently sheltering around 107 people.
Wildfires are common in Italy, usually during the summer months, although the season is starting earlier due to rising temperatures linked to climate change.
