CNN iReport

Nearly every day in Naples there are large, intentionally set fires whose smoke fills the air, causing an acrid burning smell. Residents burn garbage, agricultural waste, and brush near their homes. Unfortunately the dry conditions here often cause the fires to burn out of control.

The city of Naples and the surrounding suburbs is not built like a modern city. For generations people have built without permits and there has been almost no city planning. This means that there is no fire hydrant infrastructure and that the few fire stations that do exist are overwhelmed.

In the video you can see a burning furniture store that firemen could not put out because there was no hydrant nearby. Additionally, I have friends who had to evacuate their home due to a brush fire. 3 hours elapsed by the time the fire department was able to respond.

Smoke fills the air and given the amount of garbage that is burned, the chemicals given off must have some impact on the air quality and the health of people in the area. Additionally the remains of these fires are simply left to be absorbed in the groundwater, which has been found by recent testing to contain harmful chemicals.

Along with the illegal immigration problems, prostitution, drug use, and mafia violence that has been in the news lately, these fires are simply another sign that the system in Naples is failing and the impact to the environment may take some time to heal.

http://www.survivenaples.com