Amalfi Coast Wildfire Forces Evacuations as 7 Ground Teams and 3 Aircraft Battle Suspected Arson
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Amalfi Coast Wildfire Forces Evacuations as 7 Ground Teams and 3 Aircraft Battle Suspected Arson
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Summary
Seven ground teams and three aircraft were still extinguishing hot spots along the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula after a wildfire triggered precautionary evacuations of tourist facilities.
Strong winds drove flames through scrubland near Amalfi, Positano, Agerola and Vico Equense, initially grounding helicopters and pushing the fire toward roads and upper mountain hamlets.
No injuries or home damage were reported, but authorities closed a state road and worked overnight to keep the blaze from reaching residential areas.
Positano Mayor Gabriella Guida said near-simultaneous fires across several towns pointed to likely arson and warned the loss of centuries-old trees could raise landslide risks after the first rains.
The fire also rattled a peak tourist stretch of southern Italy, with local leaders calling it an attack on the region's environmental heritage and economy.