Puglia forest fire response strengthened with arrival of Fire Boss aircraft

Two Fire Boss amphibious aircraft have arrived at the Gino Lisa airport in Foggia to strengthen forest fire prevention and response efforts in Puglia. The aircraft, which are specialized versions of the Air Tractor AT-802, are capable of scooping up to 3,500 liters of water directly from lakes or the sea, making them highly effective in complex terrains.

Regional President Antonio Decaro and Environment Councilor Debora Ciliento welcomed the arrival, noting that the deployment by the National Civil Protection Department is a vital strategic measure for the Adriatic coast. The move comes amid a concerning trend of wildfires in the region; Decaro reported that 103 fires have occurred since the start of the year, affecting approximately 8,370 hectares of land.

Authorities have expressed concern over the potential criminal nature of many fires, with Decaro stating that approximately 99% of such incidents are human-caused. In response, the region is coordinating with law enforcement and the judiciary to combat arson, while also allocating funds for forest reforestation and the purchase of ground-based firefighting equipment.