Flames Breach Monte Gemevola and Monte Pissavacca
Wildfires burning across the Valsessera region in northern Italy escalated significantly on Wednesday, August 5. Flames breached new mountain ridges including Monte Gemevola, locally known as Cornabecco, and intensified across Monte Pissavacca.
According to local emergency reports, firefighting operations involve two Canadair aircraft and an Erikson helicopter working alongside ground crews from the regional Aib (Antincendi Boschivi) volunteer teams and local firefighters.
Blaze Visible Across Valleys as Operations Intensify
Emergency response efforts intensified through the morning hours as the blaze advanced beyond its initial boundaries on Monte Pissavacca. Field reports from the affected area indicate the fire crossed mountain ridges overnight.
The resulting flames became clearly visible from the Valsessera valley floor, the Strona valley, Borgosesia, and wide areas of lower Valsesia.
Aerial Crews Draw Water from Lake Orta and Sesia River
Aerial firefighting resources drew water from nearby bodies to combat the advancing fire front. Canadair planes refueled continuously from Lake Orta.
Meanwhile, an Erikson helicopter utilized water sources from the Sesia River between Serravalle and Grignasco to douse remote, hard-to-reach sectors of the terrain.
Lightning Strike Captured on Camera on Punta delle Camosce
Video footage shared by the Centro Meteo Piemonte and recorded by observer Stefano Bazzini captured the exact moment a lightning strike hit the slopes of Monte Pissavacca in the Punta delle Camosce area.
Extended Mop-Up Operations Required Against Dry Soil
Despite identifying the spark’s origin, ground and air crews face prolonged containment challenges.
Fire officials note that once visible flames are suppressed, extended mop-up operations remain necessary because smoldering embers can persist for days in dry soil and vegetation, carrying a high risk of renewed flare-ups driven by valley winds.
Keep reading