PESCICHI - Flames are still raging in the Peschici region, burning hectares of woods and Mediterranean scrubs. The fire, which started on Monday, has continued to burn throughout the night. 

 The strong hot wind has further complicated firefighter’s efforts to extinguish the fires, which have progressively shifted, and are now affecting the Vieste countryside in the Mandrione area. They are, however, wearing out. All available firefighting teams are involved in the fire-extinguishing work and two Canadair helicopters and one fire boss have also been brought into the area to carry out water and flame retardant launches. The mountainous area is one of the most difficult to reach. No accommodation has been evacuated. 

 The stretch of Strada Statale number 89 in Mandrione, in the municipality of Vieste, in the province of Foggia, has been closed since last night. Traffic has been diverted to secondary roads. Anas, Italy’s state-run company for the construction and maintenance of Italian motorways and state highways, is on site to try and restore circulation as soon as possible. Also at the scene are firefighters and law enforcement officers. 

 Gargano has been placed on high alert. The incident has brought back painful memories of the devastating 2007 fires in the same area, which brought Gargano to its knees. President of Apulia, Michele Emiliano, stayed late on Monday night to witness the fires between Peschici and Vieste first hand. He met at 11:30 on Tuesday with the Mayors of Peschici, Franco Tavaglione, and Vico del Gargano, Michele Sementino. and Vieste, Giuseppe Nobiletti. 

 This comes after Monday’s incident in Termoli. The Fiat Termoli plant was evacuated due to a vast fire that started amongst the shrubs of Termoli’s Industrial Centre. A plastic tent-like structure set fire, with flames spreading rapidly, running round several companies in the plant. 

 The Strada Statale 87 was closed at the A14 junction. Trenitalia traffic on the Termoli-Foggia line was suspended, and firefighters and Rete Ferrovie Italiane technicians were called on site. Trains at Termoli and San Severo / Apricena stations have been cancelled. 

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