Naples - A ghostly landscape, almost reminiscent of a post-eruption Vesuvius eruption, can be seen this morning from the windows and balconies of homes in the southern Vesuvius area.
In Trecase, Boscotrecase, Boscoreale, Torre Annunziata, Terzigno, Pompei, and even part of Scafati, the sun is barely visible. It's obscured by the cloud of smoke rising from the fire on the slopes of Vesuvius, which has devastated hectares of forest since yesterday afternoon.
The fire was actually already underway four days ago, but someone underestimated it, and now we hope that they will take responsibility for this devastation, perhaps the greatest in the last 50 years.
Only this morning someone remembered that the ifires They need to be put out because it's summer, it hasn't rained for days, and the little wind yesterday has fueled the flames beyond measure.
Eight dispatched aircraft and over a hundred ground operators were needed. Half, perhaps even a quarter, of these forces would have been enough to prevent the tragedy. This must always be remembered because what happened is inconceivable.
The fire is affecting Vesuvius on multiple fronts, two of which are main: the Terzigno pine forest and Boscotrecase. Starting at 5:4 this morning, the Regional Operations Room immediately activated four regional firefighting helicopters and requested four Canadairs from the national fleet from the National Civil Protection Department. Work is proceeding non-stop, attacking the fire from multiple fronts to contain the flames.
On site, coordinated by the Civil Protection of the Campania region, the operators of the Sma Campania, the volunteers of the regional civil protection, the firefighters, the workers of the Metropolitan City and the Mountain Community.
Controversy has been mounting on social media since yesterday over the delays, if not the lack of, extinguishing measures.
Critical situation in the Tirone Reserve
The homes and roads in the area are under constant monitoring, but the greatest critical issues are within the Alto Tirone Reserve, an area of high environmental value.
Vesuvius National Park President Raffaele De Luca is monitoring the situation: "We currently have four regional firefighting helicopters and four Canadairs from the national fleet, as well as a hundred personnel operating on the ground. We're trying to close the fire as quickly as possible, even though the fire front is wide. We're trying to determine exactly how extensive it is."
"Two more Canadairs should arrive in an hour," De Luca added, "and we hope they can provide a decisive boost to the operation, even if the difficulties remain considerable."
This article about the fire on Vesuvius is truly worrying. I've seen the clouds of smoke myself, and the situation looks dire. I hope action is taken soon before it's too late. Every day counts.