Sicily implements major investments in wildfire prevention

Sicilian Regional President Renato Schifani has outlined a strategic shift from emergency management to wildfire prevention. During a conference in Palermo, Schifani detailed several investments aimed at reducing fire risks through increased personnel, technology, and training.

Key initiatives include the hiring of 300 new units for the Forest Corps, the training of over 1,200 volunteers, and the allocation of more than 90 million euros for new firefighting equipment. Additionally, a 25 million euro grant from the Ministry of the Interior is being used to establish a centralized control room equipped with satellite monitoring capabilities, expected to be operational within months.

To address the issue of uncultivated private lands acting as fire hazards, the Region has collaborated with municipalities to create a revolving fund for land clearing. Schifani emphasized that effective prevention requires a systemic approach involving local communities and volunteer organizations.