Sardinia has declared a state of
emergency over the forest fires that have been raging on the
island for several days.
A blaze in the province of Oristano has burned over 20,000
hectares of land and left 1,500 people unable to access their
homes.
"The damage is immeasurable," said Sardinia Governor Christian
Solinas.
"It has left whole communities on their knees, along with their
economic and social fabric.
"It has inflicted a fatal wound on this precious environmental
heritage.
"Whole forests completely destroyed. Firms and homes devastated.
"An enormous number of livestock animals killed in the fire".
Farmers' association Coldiretti said it would take at least 15
years to recreate the forests and the pastures that have gone up
in smoke.
There are wildfires in Sicily too.
Fire-fighters are pitched against a huge blaze that is
devastating countryside in the area of Erice.
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