Vesuvius has been burning for days (and the fire is visible from space): after 500 hectares of vegetation and centenary screws devastated

For days the Vesuvius National Park has been on fire. A stake of enormous proportions, even visible from space, which has (for now) devoured over 500 hectares of woods, vineyards and centuries -old orchards, transforming a unique area in the world into a hell of ash and smoke.

The fire, which affects in particular the south-eastern side between Terzigno, Boscotrecase, Trecase and Ottaviano, has brought entire agricultural communities to its knees. On the spot 80 firefighters, with reinforcements from Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Marche, as well as teams from Salerno and Caserta.

Four Canadair CL-415 have also been operating for a few hours, but the weather conditions-torrid heat and wind-are complicating the shutdown operations.

Those centuries -old screws in ashes and the harvest harvest

Among the illustrious victims of the fire are the vines of Lacryma Christi Dop, an oenological symbol of Vesuvius and pride from Campania. The grapes was ready for collection and now reconstituting the vineyards will require huge years and investments.

And not only that: the Vesuvian apricots “Acqua di Serino”, very rare and sweet variety, also burned, grown only in this area. Coldiretti is working to get the IGP, but now the emergency is to save what remains. At the moment the Petto Cherry Cherry, typical of the west side and already collected, seems to be safe. But the agricultural heart wound of Vesuvius is profound.

The damage goes beyond the fields: the entire economic system linked to typical productions, from farmhouses to restaurants, passing through the wine courses. It is an economy on their knees, they are not only lost collected, but centuries of history and identity.

The anger of those who live it Vesuvius (and works there) every day

As in 2016, the fire started from Terzigno, not 5 days ago not even 15 but 20 days ago. It was July 20 when we reported this fire, she had started from behind the company binding Villa Dora, and only after hours and hours arrived, I have photos and calls marked, it was turned off and left after a few days, due to the usual unhealthy practices, that is, with late interventions and remediation made badly.

Yesterday the epilogue and today everyone runs for cover, of the irreparable, if it had intervened optimally twenty days ago, today, we would not have reached this tragic day.

In a heartfelt post Umberto Saetta, one of the Aigae guide (Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides) of Vesuvius and a profound connoisseur of the area writes.

Extraordinary mobilization

I have just signed the decree to have, in support of the Campania Region, the state of extraordinary mobilization of the National Civil Protection Service.

Thus the Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci, whose Firam to the decree will allow the National Department to ensure the coordination of the intervention of the National Civil Protection Service to support the regional authorities, “In order to contribute to the contrast of extreme events, also with the competition of men and means from other regions“.

As in 2017 the situation is the same: hectares of nature and human work devoured by the fire. And a scar that will remain visible for years.

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Sources: Department of Civil Protection