Forest Fires in Friuli: Motorway Between Venice and Trieste Temporarily Closed

The closures caused significant disruption on one of the most important east-west connections in northern Italy, according to reports. "Für den starken Reiseverkehr am Wochenende bedeutete dies zusätzliche Behinderungen", the reports stated.

Impact on Travel

Commuters and tourists had to divert onto country roads, leading to long tailbacks on the alternative routes. In the morning hours, queues several kilometres long formed in places between Venice and Trieste.

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region activated its crisis unit and coordinated the firefighting efforts together with the fire brigade and civil protection. The traffic police were also deployed around the clock to keep alternative routes clear and let emergency vehicles through.

In the preceding days, the Italian weather service had already reported an elevated forest fire danger for large parts of northern Italy. The dryness of recent weeks favoured the spread of fires along the motorway corridors, it said.

Prevention and Warnings

The authorities urged residents and travellers to avoid open flames outdoors and to follow the instructions of the emergency services. If the situation did not improve, further closures during the course of the day could not be ruled out, those responsible warned.

At the same time, the regional government of Sardinia pointed to its prevention campaigns, which have been running for years: "Sardinien ist eines der besten Beispiele für erfolgreiche Maßnahmen zur Sensibilisierung der Bevölkerung. Jeden Sommer startet die Regionalregierung umfangreiche Informationskampagnen, in denen über Maßnahmen zur Waldbrandprävention, gesetzliche Einschränkungen und Notfallverfahren informiert wird. Die Informationen werden über Flughäfen, Häfen, touristische Webseiten, soziale Medien und lokale Medien verbreitet."

The campaign aims to reach tourists and locals alike and raise awareness of the increased risk during the summer months. This includes guidance on the restricted use of fire near forests and rules of conduct in emergencies.

Situation in the Evening and Outlook

By late evening, the emergency services had managed to bring the fires under control in several sections. The motorway slip roads were gradually reopened, although some connecting roads remained closed. The civil protection agency announced that fire watch would be maintained overnight.

The incidents in Friuli highlight the growing threat from forest fires even in densely populated and heavily frequented transport regions of Italy. Observers expect that the discussion over protective measures along motorways will intensify in the coming weeks.