by InTrieste
Fire crews brought a hillside wildfire under control on Wednesday after it burned for hours on the slopes of the Rocca, a prominent landmark overlooking Monfalcone.
The blaze, which began around 11 a.m., prompted a large-scale response from the regional fire department, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Forestry Corps, and volunteer teams from the Civil Protection’s wildfire unit. Two helicopters were deployed to drop water on the flames.
Strong winds pushed smoke toward residential neighborhoods, partially shrouding parts of the city center, officials said. But crews managed to halt the fire before it reached homes, the main railway line, or the nearby highway. Firefighters also prevented damage to a telecommunications tower, stopping the flames just inches from the base of the structure.
By late afternoon, mop-up operations were underway. Drones equipped with thermal cameras, operated by the regional SAPR (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) unit, were being flown over the burned area to check for hidden embers.
No injuries were reported. Police and medical personnel remained at the scene throughout the day. Train and highway services continued uninterrupted, though the ferry connection between Trieste and Monfalcone was temporarily suspended so aircraft could draw water from the closed Valentinis Canal.
