A helicopter drops water to put out flames are seen a wooded area in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
MILAN (AP) - Raging forest fires in central Sardinia have forced the evacuation of 900 people as flames threatened some residential areas and others were engulfed by dense smoke, firefighters said Monday.
No deaths or injuries have been reported.
'œCurrently, the situation for the people seems to be under control'ť, said Alessandro Paola, deputy chief for Italian firefighters' emergency department.
France and Greece dispatched aircraft to help put out wildfires, which have consumed around 20,000 hectares (nearly 50,000 acres) in the province of Oristano. They join 10 Italian firefighting squads and 5 other aircraft deployed.
'œIt is an unprecedented reality in Sardinia's history," regional governor Christian Salinas said. 'œSo far, 20,000 hectares of forest that represent centuries of environmental history of our island have gone up in ashes.'ť
Firefighters battled all night bringing under control a blaze near the town of Montiferro that displaced 400 residents over the weekend.
The wildfires, which broke out over the weekend, have been spread by dry southerly winds.
Flames are seen a wooded area near buildings, in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
A dead fox lies on the side of a road following forest fires that have been ravaging the area around in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
A firefighter talks to his colleague as they work to put out fires in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Flames engulf a trees in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
A Canadair plane drops water to put out a fire, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Flames are seen a wooded area near homes, in Cugliari, near Oristano, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, Monday, July 26, 2021. Fires raged Sunday on Italy's Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where nearly 400 people were evacuated overnight. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Firefighters said several homes were damaged in the island's western interior region. (Alessandro Tocco/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press