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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 51 sources · 2 days · First seen 2 days ago · Last updated about 8 hours ago

Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026 – Mass evacuations

Entities: Peschici · Holiday Beach · Peschici (town) · Holiday Beach (lido in Rivabella) · Luigi d'Arenzo (Mayor of Peschici)

Overview

The wildfire that ignited in late July on the Gargano peninsula and spread into the Basso Molise area continued to devastate Mediterranean scrub and Aleppo pine, burning more than six hectares and destroying the Holiday Beach lido in Rivabella. Strong winds pushed the flames to the sea, forcing the Italian Coast Guard to evacuate hundreds of tourists from the beaches between Peschici and Vieste; estimates range from 200 to over 400 people, with about 300 still awaiting transport on 26 July.

Road 16, a stretch of the Adriatic railway and several provincial coastal roads were closed, and the Villa San Gerardo elderly‑care home in Campomarino was evacuated, moving 21 residents to safety. Two Canadair water‑bombers, helicopters and additional aircraft from Rome supported ground crews.

Mayors Flavio Fasano (Gallipoli) and Luigi d’Arenzo (Peschichi) have formally requested a state of natural disaster to unlock emergency re‑forestation and fire‑break funding. Authorities are planning immediate re‑forestation measures, while the fire’s cause remains under investigation, with early reports suggesting possible arson. Regional officials say the blaze has not threatened homes, smoke plumes remain visible for kilometres, and the overall situation is presently under control.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 6 SOURCES] The Campomarino fire in Molise led to the closure of State road 16 and a section of the Adriatic railway. (clause)
[● 5 SOURCES] More than six hectares of pine and Mediterranean scrub were burned near Rivabella on the Gallipoli coast. (clause)
[● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 200 people were evacuated from a residence in Rivabella. (clause)
[● 5 SOURCES] The Villa San Gerardo elderly care home in Campomarino was evacuated, moving 21 residents to safety. (clause)
[● 5 SOURCES] Two Canadair aircraft were deployed to fight the fires. (clause)
[● 4 SOURCES] A wildfire on the Gargano peninsula forced the evacuation of tourists by sea from beaches between Peschici and Vieste.
[● 4 SOURCES] More than 400 tourists and beachgoers were evacuated by sea from Peschici because of a wildfire. (all)
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 300 additional people remained to be evacuated after the initial wave. (all)
[● 4 SOURCES] Six coast guard vessels, three Finance Police ships and about ten private boats were deployed for the evacuation. (all)
[● 4 SOURCES] A Canadair air‑tanker from Rome was expected to arrive to help fight the fire. (all)
[● 4 SOURCES] The fire was not threatening any residences in the community. (all)
[● 4 SOURCES] A plume of smoke from the fire was visible from tens of kilometres away. (all)

Timeline

about 8 hours ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 16 sources
Mass evacuation of 400+ tourists from Peschichi as wildfire rages in Apulia
Over 400 tourists and swimmers were evacuated by sea from Peschichi, Apulia, as a wildfire spreads; Coast Guard vessels, police boats and a Canadair aircraft are assisting, with the mayor saying the fire is now
2 days ago

[POLITICS] 35 sources
Gargano coastal fires force sea evacuations and road closures across Puglia and Molise
A wildfire in Italy’s Gargano and Basso Molise has burned over six hectares, destroyed the Holiday Beach lido, closed road 16 and the Adriatic rail line, and forced 200‑400 tourists to be evacuated by sea; two

Sources

agenpress.it · athina984.gr · bigodino.it · bigportal.ba · borderline24.com · capital.gr · cnn.gr · corrierenazionale.it · corrierepl.it · dauniacom.it · dcnews.ro · dikaiologitika.gr · donne.notizie.it · ekonomiaonline.com · enikos.gr · ertnews.gr · fanpage.it · foggiareporter.it · gds.it · giltmagazine.it · giornaledipuglia.com · ifarsala.gr · ilcorrierino.com · ilfattoquotidiano.it · ilfattovesuviano.it · index.hr · inmeteo.net · insider.gr · koha.mk · lanotteonline.it · lapresse.it · larissanet.gr · lucacaporale.files.wordpress.com · lykavitos.gr · makthes.gr · mebpersonel.com · milano.repubblica.it · molisetabloid.it · mononews.gr · napolipiu.com · news.yam.md · notizieaudaci.it · parapolitika.gr · prismaradio.gr · reader.gr · senenews.com · sofokleousin.gr · sykling.no

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history