Trick or Treat: ‘Organized Crime’ Setting Sicily on Fire

Palermo homes evacuated as fires spread

Authorities have evacuated multiple properties in Palermo as raging wildfires, believed to have started intentionally, and fanned by the powerful ‘Sirocco’ winds, continue to spread across several parts of Sicily.

The fires have forced the closure of several motorways and highways across the affected areas. “The A20 motorway between Palermo and Messina was shut down to the wildfires that are also threatening several buildings and hotels in the area. The 113 state highway between Lascari and Cefalù was also closed.  Some 50 nursery-school children were overcome by fumes from a fire on Monte Caputo at Monreale near Palermo  and taken to hospital, while the school was evacuated,” ANSA reported.

Sicily’s President Rosario Crocetta told reporters that he believed the fires were started by organized crime.

“How do you explain a blazing fire in Cefalù [on Wednesday night,] when the temperature was [only] 24 degrees?

“Of course, the heat and wind then play their part. I do not have proof, but I suspect criminals were responsible because they always affect the most valuable areas around Palermo,”he said.

Dangerous Heat to Continue across Desert Southwest, U.S. Midsection

Large swathes of the US domed by oppressive and dangerous heat 

Dangerous heat expected to continue across the midsection of the U.S. in addition to the Desert Southwest.

Oppressive and dangerous heat persists across parts of Plains…Mississippi Valley and the Desert Southwest. Numerous excessive heat warnings in effect across the Desert Southwest and parts of the Plains. Widespread heat advisories are in effect from the Gulf Coast to central Plains. Severe thunderstorms will be possible across parts of the northern Plains on Saturday.  —NWS

“The persistent ridge anchored over the central U.S. will keep the oppressive and dangerous heat across the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley. The Desert Southwest is also facing extreme heat, with the scale tipping well over the century mark. Places around Phoenix can even see temperatures over 110 degrees this weekend. Numerous excessive heat warnings in effect across the Desert Southwest, Kansas and Oklahoma. Widespread heat advisories are in effect from the Gulf Coast to central Plains.” —NWS/WPC

Wildfire burning in Santa Barbara County explodes to 4,000 acres

The so-called Sherpa fire, burning in Santa Barbara County, is threatening homes and forcing closure of major highways.

“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said mandatory evacuations for El Capitan, Refugio, Venadito and Las Flores canyons north of Santa Barbara remained in effect, while residents of neighboring communities such as Las Llagas, Gato, Las Varas, Dos Pueblos and Eagle canyons received evacuation warnings,” LA Times reported.

Related Links

• State of Emergency Declared in New Mexico as Wildfire Spreads June 16, 2016