Fires Ravage Trapani and Sicily, Causing Widespread Destruction

 Yet another day of flames and fire in Trapani and Sicily concluded late last night. Once again, hectares of Mediterranean scrub and forests were engulfed in flames, stretching from Castellammare to Alcamo, Marsala to Misiliscemi, Paceco to San Vito Lo Capo (Read here about yesterday's fires).

In Scopello and the districts of Castellammare del Golfo affected by the blazes, firefighting teams from Agrigento, Caltanissetta, and Mazara remained on standby. Numerous fires yesterday led to moments of tension, with hundreds of people rescued and transferred from Scopello by sea, while at Birgi, flames encroaching upon the surrounding terrain of the "Vincenzo Florio" airport forced its closure, only becoming operational again in the evening after six diverted flights had been sent to Palermo.

Other fires in Trapani - Flames ignited in Salemi at Monte Polizzo, Trapani Montagna Grande, San Vito Lo Capo at Monte Cofano, Buseto Palizzolo in the Baglio Portelli district, Castellammare del Golfo in the Sarmuci district, Marsala in the Birgi Novo district, Poggioreale in the Cautali district.

Blazes in Palermo province - Apart from the fire in Alia at Passo del Bambino, where flames destroyed several hectares of Mediterranean scrub and several rural houses were reduced to ashes, other fires erupted in Palermo province: in Contessa Entellina in the Chiappetta district, Belmonte Mezzagno in the Casale district, Bisacquino in the Alvano district, Campofiorito, Misilmeri in the Raffi district, Monreale at the Tagliavia sanctuary, San Giuseppe Jato in the Scala di Ferro district, Santa Cristina Gela in the Pianetto district.

Other fires across Sicily - Numerous fires also occurred in Catania province: in Castiglione di Sicilia in the Verzella and Marchesa districts and at Passo Siletta, in Caltagirone in the Chianchitello district, in Randazzo in the Sciarone district, in Calatabiano at the Minissale stream, in Linguaglossa at Mount Fallacca, in Militello in Val di Catania in the Frangello district, in Vizzini in the Morbano and Reburdone districts. Fires also broke out in Agrigento province: in Ravanusa in the Stornello district, in Alessandria della Rocca, in Aragona at Passo Ugliaro, in Calamonaci in the Canalicchio district, in Cianciana in the Bissana district, in Favara in the Lucia district, in Montevago in the Saiaro district, in Sambuca di Sicilia in the Balatelli district. Flames also engulfed parts of Enna province: in Caltanissetta in the Sabucina district, Mazzarino at Poggio San Giovanni, Sutera in the Zolfara district. In Ragusa province: in Vittoria on Temple Avenue, in Syracuse province: in Lentini in the Cava Scalpello district, and in Aidone in the cemetery area. Fires also erupted in Messina province: in Castell’Umberto in the Bivio Colamarco district, in Gioiosa Marea in the Fico district, in Messina in the Cataratti district, and in Sinagra in the Contura district.

Monte Cofano - For yet another time, Monte Cofano was affected by fires on the San Vito Lo Capo side. Here, dozens of bathers were stranded with their cars on the slopes of Monte Cofano. A helicopter attempted to address the situation while waiting for reinforcements, dropping seawater onto the flames.

Around a hundred bathers transferred from Scopello by Sea - "It was necessary to transfer around a hundred people by sea from the Scopello area, through the Coast Guard and the Red Cross, to the Stenditoio square, at the marina cove, and assisted by the Red Cross and the Alcamo committee. The fire seems to be under control near the Scopello village, but the situation remains worrisome in the surrounding districts, as the flames continue to be fueled and pushed by strong scirocco winds," said a concerned Mayor Giuseppe Fausto. "Enormous and once again immeasurable damage, a clearly calculated scheme because it appears that the fires ignited simultaneously in the Scopello, Sarmuci, Visicari, and Piano Vignazzi areas."

Birgi Airport reopened in the evening - It was only at 7:30 PM yesterday that Trapani Birgi Airport became operational again. Six flights were diverted to Palermo. "Yesterday was once again a highly demanding day for the airport - says Salvatore Ombra, President of Airgest, the company that manages Trapani Birgi Airport - in an unprecedented season that has highlighted the need to find solutions to combat summer fires that jeopardize people's safety and the economy of a territory and the entire region."

President Schifani's Words - Once again, our land is severely tested by criminal hands that are engaging in heinous acts. The system is holding up. And for this, I sincerely thank all the men and women, regardless of their roles and institutions, who are demonstrating a great sense of duty and love for our Sicily.

Castellammare Mayor Giuseppe Fausto on the culprits of the fires - "I firmly condemn and deeply regret this, hoping that the culprits of these criminal schemes can be identified, so that we can become civil plaintiffs," emphasizes Giuseppe Fausto, Mayor of Castellammare del Golfo. "Thanks to all those who have been working for hours to secure our city: the operational coordination of personnel from the forest department, fire and forest fire department, firefighters, civil protection, Red Cross, police, carabinieri, municipal police, and municipal staff working to contain the fires."

Appeals and Political Commitment No Longer Suffice - With every fire that devastates a part of our Sicily, there is a unanimous chorus from the politicians and national and regional governments, which exclusively consists of condemnation and commitment of resources, personnel, and means for preventing forest fires, most of which are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, deliberate and criminal in nature. Yet, punctually, all this does not happen, and the way of addressing and preventing fires, now always "announced," almost "planned," remains the same: with few personnel and means that are inadequate and ineffective.