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Italian authorities evacuated around 3,500 people on Friday in the famous Tuscany region as they worked to bring a wildfire under control that has been burning for more than 24 hours.
The blaze has destroyed over 800 hectares (nearly 2,000 acres) of land in the mountainous area between the historic cities of Lucca and Pisa.
“About 3,500 people are affected,” the municipality of San Giuliano Terme said in a statement.
It added that “the wind has pushed the flames further downhill” toward the village of Asciano.
Emergency services are conducting large-scale firefighting and evacuation operations. The response includes three Canadair water-bombing aircraft, a helicopter, 19 fire brigade vehicles, and support from the Italian army and police forces.
Authorities confirmed that emergency shelters, including local sports facilities, have been opened to accommodate displaced residents. Approximately 107 people are currently being housed in these facilities.
Officials warned that the rapidly changing wind conditions are complicating containment efforts, with multiple active fire fronts still under close observation.
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