Piedmont wildfires force 120 to about 150 from homes as strong winds fan flames; Regional president Alberto Cirio visits Premosello Chiovenda on 10 July

Fire activity

Multiple fronts in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province are being driven by strong wind gusts toward inhabited areas. The main concern is the territory of Premosello, where three active fronts advanced in the direction of Cuzzago, Premosello and the Colloro hamlet. At least one Canadair and one Erickson S64 helicopter conducted water drops, with reports indicating up to five Canadair operating on the morning of 10 July. The fire has been burning for nine to ten days, with flames crossing a natural gully on 9 July and threatening buildings. In Bannio Anzino, wind reactivated previously extinguished hotspots, and ground crews were deployed to protect a mountain hut. By contrast, the situation in Val Vigezzo was brought under control and conditions at Cravagliana, in Vercelli province, showed general improvement.

Evacuation and shelter

A precautionary evacuation was ordered for the Colloro hamlet on the afternoon of 9 July after an emergency meeting chaired by Prefect Matilde Pirrera at Villa Taranto. Conflicting counts appear across sources: La Stampa reports 120 people left their homes while about 15 chose to stay; ANSA and Tgcom24 cite approximately 150 evacuees; Rai News states 135. Approximately ten frail elderly residents were transferred to a local care home, while two gymnasiums were set up as reception centres for the others. Mayor Elio Fovanna coordinated the operation with the Red Cross of Premosello and the VCO civil protection. Some herders in alpine pastures above Cuzzago were reluctant to leave, and efforts by AIB volunteers and Carabinieri were needed to persuade them.

Si lavora costantemente in condizioni non facili. Qui sono impegnati due Canadair e un Erickson: un'ottantina gli uomini attivi nelle operazioni.

Smoke and environmental conditions

The advance of the fire produced a dense grey-white smoke cloud that covered the entire Ossola valley, reaching as far as Formazza. Irrespirable air was the direct trigger for the Colloro evacuation order. The complex orography and rapidly shifting air currents complicated both firefighting and forecasting. Commander Onofrio Lorusso of the VCO fire brigade described the terrain and wind dynamics as the main difficulties.

La situazione è complessa per l'orografia del territorio e le correnti d'aria che cambiano velocemente.

Wind also hindered helicopter and Canadair operations on 9 July, pushing smoke and embers northward toward the upper Ossola.

Official response and site visit

Regional President Alberto Cirio, after a telephone briefing with Mayor Fovanna on the afternoon of 9 July, arrived at Premosello Chiovenda at 12:00 on 10 July. He was accompanied by Protection Assessor Marco Gabusi and Environment Assessor Matteo Marnati. An earlier visit on 9 July by Regional Fire Commander Alessandro Paola confirmed an operational presence of around 80 firefighters. Ground forces include Carabinieri, AIB volunteers and the civil protection corps. From 30 June onward, roughly 60 volunteers with 14 vehicles have been active daily in the zone, supplemented by an additional 30 VCO AIB volunteers for evacuation and local coordination.

Wider regional context

Other fires in the Piedmont region are also receiving attention. The Val Vigezzo fire was placed under control, and the situation in Cravagliana, near Piano delle Fate, showed signs of improvement. However, the Bannio Anzino sector remains unstable because of wind-revived hotspots. The region’s civil protection apparatus declared it is monitoring the entire province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola closely.