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Italy battles severe heatwave and escalating wildfires
Record‑breaking heat has gripped Italy, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in the south and a fifth consecutive day of red‑badge heat alerts. The Protezione Civile extended the heat‑wave warning in Campania and issued similar alerts across Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia and the central‑south, urging residents, especially the elderly and children, to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activity.
The extreme heat has ignited dozens of wildfires. In Sicily and Sardinia more than 100 fire incidents required the deployment of fire brigades, forest‑service units, helicopters and Canadair aircraft. Notable hotspots include Castronovo di Sicilia, Monserrato, Bivona, and several municipalities around Palermo and Catania. Hundreds of firefighters and aerial crews have been mobilised, evacuations ordered, and traffic temporarily halted on the A19 motorway due to vegetation fires.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, reinforcing water supplies for firefighting and maintaining public‑health advisories. While a modest cooling trend is expected later in the week in parts of Sicily, the overall risk of heat‑related illness and further fire outbreaks remains high.