Firefighters backed by water-dropping aircraft Tuesday battled a raging forest fire threatening the outskirts of the northern port city of Genoa, officials said.
"As we speak, the fire has affected 800 hectares (1,976 acres) and the situation is under control. But according to weather forecasts, heavy winds are expected from afternoon," said Paola Tomassone, a forest ranger said.
"Seventy volunteers and 50 rangers, backed up by five Canadairs and two helicopters are at the scene," she said, as a thick haze of smoke lay over the city.
The fire is currently raging on the hills of Monte Moro, about five kilometres (three miles) from Genoa's city centre.
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