Global wildfires surge in 2026 as new AI aids Italian prevention

Global wildfire activity in 2026 has reached critical levels, with over 112 million hectares burned in the first seven months of the year. Data from the Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) indicates that Africa accounts for 55% of the world's total burned surface area. The Democratic Republic of the Congo leads globally with 13.6 million hectares affected, followed by Australia and Angola.

In Italy, wildfires in 2026 destroyed 741 km² of territory, resulting in direct damages estimated at 3 billion euros and a total economic impact of 9 billion euros due to consequences in tourism, agriculture, and energy.

To combat these threats, a new artificial intelligence system named ‘La Signorina del Fuoco’ has been developed under the AI-B® Project. Developed by Claudio Sizzi and Giovanni Pio Micale, the AI uses deep learning to analyze camera footage and detect early signs of smoke from long distances. The system provides alerts ranging from pre-warnings to full alarms while keeping human operators in control of the decision-making process. It is currently operational in the Valdarno and Valdisieve areas of Tuscany, as well as in Gargano.