Wildfire at Lake Garda forces evacuation of over 200 people in Tignale
A wildfire broke out on Friday evening in Tignale on the western shore of Lake Garda, forcing over 200 people including tourists to evacuate as strong winds drove the flames through the night. By Saturday morning the fire was still not under control.
Outbreak and spread
A wildfire broke out at around 22:00 on Friday in Olzano, a hamlet of the municipality of Tignale on the western shore of Lake Garda in the province of Brescia. The flames spread across mountainous terrain at roughly 800 metres elevation above Gardola, driven by strong winds that fanned the fire through the night and into Saturday morning. High flames and a massive smoke column were visible for kilometres across the lake, one of Italy's most popular holiday destinations. By Saturday morning the fire was still not under control, with firefighting efforts focused on containing the fire fronts and protecting residential buildings.
Evacuations and impact
More than 200 people were evacuated as a precaution, according to the Italian fire brigade. Those affected included residents of several houses, guests of holiday homes, and dozens of tourists staying at the La Forca holiday complex. No injuries were reported as of Saturday morning. The fire came dangerously close to inhabited buildings in the area. Lake Garda is a favoured destination for German tourists in particular during the summer season.
- Fire breaks out in Olzano, Tignale, on western shore of Lake Garda
- Strong winds drive rapid spread; over 200 people evacuated from homes and holiday complex
- Canadair aircraft and helicopters begin aerial water drops
- Fire still not under control; firefighting continues
Firefighting response
Firefighters, civil protection units, forest police and volunteers worked through the entire night. Two Canadair firefighting aircraft and helicopters were deployed on Saturday morning to attack the flames from the air. Three fire vehicles and ten volunteers from the Riva del Garda fire brigade reinforced crews from the Brescia region. Mobile water basins were set up, and water was pumped from the municipal swimming pool in Tignale to support the operation. Mayor Daniele Bonassi coordinated logistics on the ground, preparing support for the aircraft expected at first light.
Official accounts
Bonassi described the scene in stark terms to Italian media.
You can see how trees and undergrowth are being devoured by the flames. The sky is glowing red, and the wind from the lake up into the mountains keeps driving the fire onward.
He warned that persistent drought and the difficult terrain were particularly concerning for the ongoing operation.
Broader heatwave context
Italy has been suffering for weeks from a heatwave stretching from north to south, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in places. Red alert levels for acute health risks to the population were active in almost all major cities. The Po, the country's longest river, was carrying very little water. Forecasts indicated the high temperatures would persist until around the middle of the month, keeping conditions ripe for further fire outbreaks across the country.
