Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/859132
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 AUGUST 2017 8 News Exceptionally hot weather keeps firefighters busy MIRIAM DALLI THE recent spate of hot weath- er that engulfed the island has kept firefighters busy with controlling grass fires that are spreading faster due to the lack of moisture in vegetation. The heat itself does not cause any fires, but 'Lucifer' will continue to be felt even after it passes as a result of the dry countryside that will make it prone to more fires, even as the high temperatures start to fall. The Civil Protection Depart- ment has seen an increment in grass fires over the last couple of days, particularly in valleys and in the countryside. "The cause and origin of the fires cannot be directly at- tributed to the heatwave itself. What is sure is that, due to the exceptionally hot weather, grass fires tend to spread fast- er due to the lack of moisture in vegetation," CPD deputy di- rector Peter Paul Coleiro told MaltaToday. Drier plants, as a result of the hotter conditions, facilitate the spread of flames. "Any dew and moisture resi- due from night time dries up quicker during the day, con- tributing to the factors ex- plained," Coleiro said, adding that the CPD is fighting more severe fires, that are spreading faster. Households are advised to ensure that appliances are not exposed to temperatures above those that they have been manufactured to work in, as this may expose them to a higher risk of fire. Whilst there is no direct evidence that fires which occurred recently did so because of the increase in temperatures, damage to an appliance's insulation may in- crease the risk of fire. "Any appliance with over- heating wiring may crack and damage the insulation and, if unchecked, this may in- crease the risk of fire," Coleiro warned. Media reports of trees catch- ing fire last week suggested that this occurred due to the heat. However, Coleiro dis- missed the suggestion, argu- ing that such fires are nor- mally caused by "indirect sources". "As regards to the claim of trees undergoing spontaneous combustion, most tree fires are caused by indirect sources, such as flying cinders origi- nating from other fires caus- ing a smoldering fire which may go unnoticed for a period of time," Coleiro explained. Other causes may be glass debris on roadsides igniting dry shrubs, or ignited ciga- rettes thrown out of moving vehicles. "There are instances where due to biological or chemical activity, trees and vegetation may be susceptible to a rise in temperature that may lead to a fire… but spontaneous combustion of trees is not yet a documented phenomenon," the CPD deputy director add- ed. Fires have been reported all over the island, at times even in locations where the CPD cannot access the area. A case in point is a fire that ravaged the cliffs close to Ghar Lapsi on Monday night, in an area that was inaccessible to fire- fighters. Local authorities not budging "as a matter of principle" CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Italian authorities seem to be citing a breach of a new Code of Con- duct for Search-and-Rescue NGOs introduced last week as the reason for their not allow- ing the vessel into the country's harbours. Last month, a draft of the code was leaked to Amnesty In- ternational and Human Rights Watch, with both organisa- tions saying that the changes risked threatening "thousands of lives". Among the new rules is a re- quirement for ships to allow police officers on board and re- turn immediately to port, rath- er than transferring migrants to other ships. Government sources who spoke to MaltaToday have con- firmed that the vessel is on the move and seems to be travelling towards Italy, however despite this, they said it was not neces- sarily on its way to Italy since the vessel was constantly mov- ing round, and "could at any point change course again". They also confirmed that, as things stand, neither country had altered its position on al- lowing the vessel port entry. According to the same source local authorities are not budg- ing "as a matter of principle". "The fact that there are three people on board doesn't make a difference, because if Malta accepts the principle that they do not go to the nearest port of call, the next time there is an- other vessel, with say 400 peo- ple on board." In a tweet, the NGO said it had been more than 48 hours since the three Libyans were saved off the coast of Libya in a rescue operation coordinated by the Italian Guardia Costi- era which also involved other vessels. Brussels police open fire on car 'with explosives inside' BRUSSELS police shot at a car during a high-speed chase through the streets of Molen- beek, with the driver openly admitting to the police that he was carrying explosives on board. Media reports quote police spokesman Johan Berckmans stating that "we pulled out the driver, who directly stated that there were explosives on board". The car was a Citroen Picas- so, registered in Germany. The Brussels Public Prosecu- tor's Office released a state- ment confirming the suspect's arrest at 6pm local time. "The man was driving suspi- ciously and failed to stop at a traffic light. When the police arrested him, he claimed to have explosives so not to take any risk, the army has been called in to check." A security perimeter was set up between Rue de Dilbeek and the Gare de l'Ouest, ac- cording to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. Staff and customers at a nearby DIY shop, Brico, were not allowed to leave until po- lice secured the scene, while several bus routes were di- verted. No injuries were reported. A security perimeter was set up between Rue de Dilbeek and the Gare de l'Ouest The Golfo Azzurro's path between 8am and 7pm on Tuesday The blaze close to Ghar Lapsi burning in an inaccessible area, watched by onlookers