Incredible pictures show how skilled pilots risk their lives to put out ravaging forest fires in southern Italy

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 07:00 EST, 3 June 2013 | Updated: 09:45 EST, 3 June 2013


These are incredible pictures of skilled aircraft pilots flying through raging infernos to put out enormous flames.

Daredevil Italian photographer Antonio Grambone, 46, jumped up close to the blaze to capture the incredible images of forest fires in the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano, in the province of Salerno in Italy.

At great risk to himself, Antonio captured these incredible shots making them appear like Italian masterpieces.

Inferno: Incredible shots show just how close this helicopter gets to the flames to put them out

Inferno: Incredible shots show just how close this helicopter gets to the flames to put them out

Dramatic: Sweeping low over the flame, the pictures resemble a modern version of an Italian masterpiece painting

Dramatic: Sweeping low over the flames, the pictures resemble a modern version of an Italian masterpiece painting

Looming out from the smoke and flames, this helicopter barely clear the trees as its pilots swoop low to tackle the blaze

Looming out from the smoke and flames, this helicopter barely clear the trees as its pilots swoop low to tackle the blaze

The images show the emergency services risking their lives to tackle the blazes which all happened over the last two years.

Antonio said: 'Unfortunately, the same scenario is almost all seasons summer when high temperatures and lack of rainfall make the area and the beautiful vegetation fragile and helpless, despite the timely intervention of aircraft of Civil Defense, ground staff of Mountain Community and the brave men of the fire brigade, large areas of Mediterranean forest burn because of these fires.

'I was able to capture these images, because this town of Cilento, in addition to the goal of my summer vacation, it is above my homeland.

On target: Brave pilots are on a course straight into these enormous flames as they release tonnes of water onto the fire

On target: Brave pilots are on a course straight into these enormous flames as they release tonnes of water onto the fire

It takes tonnes and tonnes of water, collected nearby by these skillful pilots, to begin to bring the flames under control

It takes tonnes and tonnes of water, collected nearby by these skillful pilots, to begin to bring the flames under control

Flames and sparks fly up into the path of the aircraft, which are often flying blind through the heavy smoke

Flames and sparks fly up into the path of the aircraft, which are often flying blind through the heavy smoke

'Therefore, I know the area where I move with ease and with maximum security - necessary in the presence of large and dangerous fire - with the help of the fire brigade.

'In fact, in these situations it is very important to remain at a safe distance because the flames and the speed with which they move are unpredictable.'

Antonio said photography was his life's passion. To capture these fascinating shots he used  a Nikon D300 camera body with Nikkor 18-200 and Nikkor 70-300 Vr Vr.

Few people have ever captured such dramatic scenes up close, as Antonio has, risking his own life in the process

Few people have ever captured such dramatic scenes up close, as Antonio has, risking his own life in the process

The proximity to the flames is unbelievable in this remarkable shot taken by daredevil photographer Antonio Grambone

The proximity to the flames is unbelievable in this remarkable shot taken by daredevil photographer Antonio Grambone

Engulfed in flames, it's difficult for the pilots to see where they are flying as they struggle to bring the flames under control

Engulfed in flames, it's difficult for the pilots to see where they are flying as they struggle to bring the fire under control

Ominous: Coming out of the smoke and steam the aircrew fly low over the trees looking for the flames

Ominous: Coming out of the smoke and steam the aircrew fly low over the trees looking for the remaining flames

Team effort: Working together, the air crew bombard the remaining flames with tonnes of water

Team effort: Working together, the air crew bombard the remaining flames with tonnes of water

Charred: The final loads of water fall on a steaming and charred forest , much of which has been saved by the skilled efforts of the air fire crew

Charred: The final loads of water fall on a steaming and charred forest , much of which has been saved by the skilled efforts of the air fire crew


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