Italy has had a 120% increase in
wildfires this summer when compared to the past two years, with
a total of 3,403 fires since the beginning of the year, Italy's
Forest Guards said Friday.
The 120% figure is a preliminary estimate, however, and
also includes fires that were part of a new regulation requiring
controlled burns.
The Forest Service said 61% of the fires were located in
southern Italy, but Lazio was the hardest-hit region in terms of
surface area, where 2,043 hectares were burned.
In Liguria, where 170 fires and 800 hectares have been
burned this summer, regional councillor Fabrizio Mai asked the
Civil Protection Service to supply Genoa with a Canadair
firefighting plane to combat the blazes.
The Taggia wildfire is still burning in that region, and
has already destroyed 400 hectares.
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