Forest fires in Friaul escalate: roads and motorways affected

Wildfires have escalated in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, with roads and highways affected as emergency services battle the flames. Firefighting helicopters and fire departments from Venice and Trieste have been deployed to combat the blazes, while authorities have warned tourists through the national IT-alert system using cell-broadcast technology. The situation intensified on Saturday, with multiple wildfires spreading in the mountains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region bordering Austria’s Carinthia. Initially, three new fire outbreaks were reported, followed by additional fires throughout the day. The situation was particularly tense in the karst area between Monfalcone and Duino. Firefighters from Monfalcone and Trieste arrived with tanker trucks, and the firefighting helicopter “Drago” from Venice was called in to assist. At Monte Nero near Tarvis, forestry teams and volunteer firefighters worked to contain another blaze. Another fire broke out in the district of Selz within the municipality of Ronchi dei Legionari. Transport disruptions have also occurred due to the fires. To allow emergency crews access, two lanes were closed at the Lisert interchange on the A4 motorway (Venice-Trieste) late on Saturday afternoon. Restrictions continued along the motorway itself, with one lane blocked in each direction. The entrances to the motorway at Redipuglia and Villesse toward Trieste were temporarily closed, causing further delays for the heavy weekend traffic. Additional resources were needed in the popular tourist resort of Lignano Sabbiadoro, where a wildfire was reported at the transition zone between vegetation and built areas. Local fire services and civil protection units responded swiftly. Italy has increasingly recognized the need to improve communication regarding wildfire risks, especially to tourists and visitors unfamiliar with the regions. Over recent years, parts of Italy, such as Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Apulia, and Tuscany, have faced frequent large-scale wildfires. Given Italy’s status as a major global travel destination, authorities have expanded their warning systems. Central to this effort is the national alert system IT-alert, introduced in 2024. This system uses cell-broadcast technology to send warnings directly to mobile phones located in affected areas. No registration is required, and messages can be sent in multiple languages, including English, without regard to nationality, mobile network provider, or pre-downloaded apps. Such alerts are used primarily when immediate danger threatens residents, such as during evacuations or when a fire spreads rapidly and poses a risk to inhabited areas. During emergencies, multiple information channels operate simultaneously. National and regional civil protection agencies provide updates, while local municipalities share information through websites and social media platforms. Evacuation orders may also involve SMS alerts, sirens, and public address announcements. Each Italian region has its own wildfire and emergency response plans, which include identifying high-risk zones, evacuation procedures, and communication routes. Sardinia serves as a successful example of effective public awareness campaigns. Every summer, the regional government launches extensive informational initiatives to educate the population on forest fire prevention measures, legal restrictions, and emergency protocols. These efforts aim to enhance preparedness and reduce the impact of wildfires on both communities and tourism.