Padru wildfire in Sardinia triggers aerial firefighting response

On 31 July 2026 a major wildfire erupted in Padru, in the Gallura area of northeastern Sardinia. High temperatures and strong winds caused the blaze to spread rapidly, prompting the Corpo forestale to mobilise ground crews and aerial resources, including Super Puma helicopters from Alà dei Sardi and Limbara bases and two Canadair water‑bombing aircraft from Olbia.

The fire highlights warnings from Italy’s forestry sector about the severe summer fire season across the Mediterranean. Confai Bergamo president Pietro Cattaneo said, “the defence against fires consists not only in emergency intervention but also in the ability to prevent risk situations through proper forest management,” calling for responsible citizen behaviour, regular vegetation control and coordinated preventive planning.