Excessive heat and drought are not enough to exacerbate the fire emergency in southern Italy: the actions of arsonists are also worsening the situation. Yesterday an unemployed 66-year-old local man was arrested on charges of setting several fires in the countryside of Palmas Arborea, in the Oristanese area. He was arrested by the Forestry Corps on an order requested by the prosecutor in charge of the investigation, which began a month ago. In the month of July alone, six fires, all of an arson nature, occurred in the countryside of Palmas Arborea in two separate locations, including one near the town. The most serious fire also affected "Pauli Majori," an area of great naturalistic value, protected for its environmental significance and included among the protected areas by the "Natura 2000 Network" system.
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