In a short Twitter message on Tuesday, the Swiss embassy in Rome expressed thanks for the Italian contribution which it said was part of cross-border cooperation. The Italian effort includes bringing two Canadair aircraft. These large fire-fighting planes can fly low, notably into the valley, to extinguish flames above the village of Indemini, where houses have not yet been touched by the fire.
The fire has been raging since Sunday morning on Monte Gambarogno, near Lake Maggiore in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino which borders Italy. Several dozen people have been evacuated from their homes, but no injuries have been reported.
Swiss authorities have already been fighting the flames from the air with six helicopters, including two Super Pumas of the Swiss Air Force, the Ticino authorities said on Monday. Further reinforcements were being sent, according to the Swiss public broadcaster RSI on Tuesday.
The flames are raging across an area of more than six hectares, according to Ticino authorities who estimated that firefighters would need several more days to contain the blaze.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
This content was published on
A group of around 25 men in uniforms of the Wehrmacht – the army of Nazi Germany – crossed the Wildhorn massif on Saturday and were questioned by Bern cantonal police.
Switzerland named hotspot for fox tapeworm disease
This content was published on
Diseases caused by the fox tapeworm are on the rise in Europe. Alveolar hydatid disease (AHD) caused by the parasite is rare, but the number of cases is increasing.
This content was published on
The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.
Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
This content was published on
Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.
Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.
This content was published on
The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.
This content was published on
According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.
This content was published on
A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.
Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider
This content was published on
Vreni Schneider is to have a museum in the centre of her home village of Elm. The legendary Swiss ski racer has numerous memorabilia at home, which she is now releasing and exhibiting.
This content was published on
Economic losses caused by natural and human-caused disasters have been on the upswing for years, a separate survey by German reinsurer Munich Re revealed. They caused global economic losses to the tune of $77 billion, with the insurance industry responsible for covering $42 billion. Swiss Re notes that this is the second-highest loss value ever recorded during the first six months of a year and is above the ten-year…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.