The fire in Sarno was arson. Schools closed tomorrow

The large fire in the Sarno mountains near Saretto is likely arson. The flames, driven by strong winds, are licking nearby homes. Mayor Giuseppe Canfora has urged residents to "keep windows closed and only go out if necessary." Schools will be closed tomorrow. Residents near the fire zone have also been evacuated. The Baccelli Institute has been made available. Meanwhile, tonight's "Via del Gusto" event has been postponed for safety and public order reasons. Several teams from the fire department, civil protection, the Campania Regional Fire Protection Agency, and ten members of the Salerno Province Forest Fire Department are working on the extinguishing operations. "The firefighters ask us not to leave our homes, not to clog the streets in the city center, and to avoid breathing in smoke. Avoid travel," wrote Michele Strianese, President of the Province of Salerno, on his Facebook profile. Strianese announced that he had "contacted both the regional and provincial fire departments and the director of the Regional Civil Protection Operations Room." Strianese is also in contact with the prefect, Francesco Russo. (Sara Mareschi)