Italy wildfire prevention faces criticism over funding and land abandonment

Opposition members in the Abruzzo Regional Council have filed an inquiry regarding the region's forest fire prevention plan (AIB) for 2026-2028. The opposition, represented by Patto per l’Abruzzo, highlights several critical weaknesses identified within the region's own official documents, including “scant funds” and a financing model that “greatly lowers its effectiveness” because procurement procedures do not allow for interventions in the highest-risk areas.

Additional concerns raised include an incomplete radio network, the need for maintenance on fire-fighting water tanks, a reduction in fire suppression coordinators, and an unsettled organizational structure with the Fire Brigade. The inquiry seeks accountability for political and financial decisions made between 2019 and 2026.

In a related discussion on wildfire causes, Marco Bozzolo, president of CIA Cuneo, emphasized that the abandonment of rural and mountainous areas contributes significantly to fire risks. He noted a structural paradox in Italy: while forest coverage has nearly doubled to approximately 12 million hectares, the number of farms has decreased by 64%, leading to a loss of human presence and active land management that is essential for prevention.