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Residents Evacuated as Firefighters Tackle Blaze in Palermo

Residents in several municipalities were evacuated due to wildfires around the hills of Palermo, Sicily, on Thursday, August 18, according to Italy’s national press agency.

The Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) added the fires affected Poggi Ridente, Poggio San Francesco, Boccadifalco, and Borgo near the Bellolampo landfill. Mayor of Palermo Roberto Lagalla asked residents to limit outdoor exposure and keep their windows closed due to the smoke. No injuries have been reported.

The Italian fire service Vigili del Fuoco released these videos, which they said were taken overnight Thursday and Friday, August 18 to 19. The footage shows firefighters working to contain the fires and firefighting aircraft dropping water over the affected areas. The fire service said they were supported by locals and reinforcements from the nearby cities of Enna, Syracuse, and Messina. Credit: Vigili del Fuoco via Storyful

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