Wildfires Force Evacuation of Nursing Home on Sardinia; Calabria Blaze Continues

Wildfires are engulfing southern Italy, prompting urgent evacuations and a massive firefighting response. On Sardinia, a nursing home run by nuns was precautionary cleared as flames spread dangerously close to homes. Ten people, including residents and a family already evacuated, were moved to safety amidst thick smoke.

Firefighting efforts are extensive, involving Canadair water-bombing planes, Super Puma helicopters, and other aerial resources. Another fire near Portoscuso on Sardinia threatens a pine forest and an industrial zone. Meanwhile, in Calabria's Pollino National Park, crews have battled a large-scale wildfire for over two days in rugged, heavily vegetated mountain terrain.

Residents report intermittent fires across the mountain region for about five days. Italy has toughened penalties for arson, increasing the minimum sentence for intentional acts to six years and two years for negligent fire-starting, reflecting the severity of the ongoing crisis.