May 1, 2026, 1:10 p.mMay 1, 2026, 1:10 p.m
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More than 3,500 people have had to leave their homes due to a huge forest fire in Tuscany. The fire is raging in the hinterland of the Italian holiday region between the cities of Pisa and Lucca. The area around the 830-meter-high Monte Faeta mountain with the local community of San Giuliano Terme is particularly affected. The fire department is on a large scale with dozens of emergency services, including fire-fighting planes and helicopters.
According to local authorities, around eight square kilometers of forest have now been destroyed in the popular excursion region. It is believed that the fire was started a few days ago by a farmer who wanted to burn olive branches. It was said that the flames then obviously got out of control. They were fanned further and further by gusts of wind.
Army soldiers also fight flames
The prefecture therefore ordered on Thursday evening that all residents must leave the worst affected area. Gyms in the area were used to accommodate them. The regional president of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, spoke of a “very difficult situation on which we must concentrate all our strength”. Soldiers from the Italian army are also deployed.
Tuscany with its capital Florence is one of the most popular holiday regions in Italy. Many tourists from Germany also visit there regularly. It was initially unclear whether vacationers were also affected by the forest fire. (sda/dpa)