Fires in Sicily, fear in Palermo: flames threaten homes in Borgo Nuovo

In Sicily fear in Palermo for a big fire that broke out in the hills surrounding the Borgo Nuovo district. Fueled by the strong sirocco wind, the flames lick some houses and would have also affected some garages. Several residents who have left their homes as a precaution. There are two fire brigade teams and civil protection personnel on site. The scorching temperatures, with the mercury column that exceeded 40 degrees, and the strong sirocco wind fuel the fires in the Palermo area. Dozens of speeches this morning. Ground teams of firefighters and 5 Canadair are at work to put out the flames that are affecting the municipalities of Carini, Torretta, Bolognetta, Partinico, Monreale, Belmonte Mezzagno, San Giuseppe Jato. Some teams from Enna and Agrigento also participate in the extinguishing operations. The Regional Civil Protection has published the bulletin for the risk of fires and heat waves, valid from midnight and for the following 24 hours. For tomorrow in Palermo a significant decrease in the risk of heat waves is expected, which drops to level 1 (yellow color), with a maximum perceived temperature of 35 degrees. Trend still down for the day after tomorrow, August 20, when the maximum perceived temperature should reach 33 degrees (level 0). As regards the risk of fires, for tomorrow in the province of Palermo the expected danger is ‘average’ ( ‘early warning’ level, orange).