900 evacuated in Sardinia wildfires; Greece, France send aid

Italian firefighters say raging forest fires in central Sardinia have forced the evacuation of 900 people as flames threaten some residential areas and others are engulfed by dense smoke

Italy Fires (LaPresse)

Raging forest fires in central Sardinia have forced the evacuation of 900 people as flames threatened some residential areas and others were engulfed by dense smoke, firefighters said Monday.

No deaths or injuries have been reported.

France and Greece dispatched aircraft to help put out wildfires, which have consumed around 20,000 hectares (nearly 50,000 acres) in the province of Oristano.

Firefighters battled all night bringing under control a blaze near the town of Montiferro that displaced 400 residents over the weekend.

The wildfires, which broke out over the weekend, have been spread by dry southerly winds.