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Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026 – Mass evacuations

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-26 18:40 UTC → 2026-07-26 19:32 UTC · added removed

Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026 – Ongoing Mass evacuations

The late‑July 2026 wildfires wildfire that swept ignited in late July on the Gargano peninsula in Puglia and adjoining spread into the Basso Molise area continued to expand. On 25‑26 July the blaze consumed devastate Mediterranean scrub and Aleppo pine, burning more than six hectares of scrub and Aleppo pine in the Salento town of Rivabella, destroying the Holiday Beach club and prompting lido in Rivabella. Strong winds pushed the evacuation of about 200 residents. Mayor Flavio Fasano again sought a formal natural‑disaster decree flames to unlock emergency funds for re‑forestation. Along the Gargano coast the fire spread from Peschici to Vieste, threatening beaches and prompting sea, forcing the coast guard Italian Coast Guard to lift evacuate hundreds of tourists by sea; local schools were repurposed as shelters. Two Canadair aircraft and additional helicopters supported ground crews. In Molise a separate fire near Campomarino forced from the closure of State Road 16 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 section stretch of the Adriatic railway and required the evacuation of several provincial coastal roads were closed, and the Villa San Gerardo elderly‑care home, home in Campomarino was evacuated, moving 21 residents to safety. By 26 July the evacuation of Peschichi’s beach‑goers remained ongoing, with roughly 300 people still awaiting transport. Six coast‑guard vessels, three Finance‑Police boats and about ten private craft were deployed, and a Two Canadair tanker water‑bombers, helicopters and additional aircraft from Rome continued supported ground crews. Mayors Flavio Fasano (Gallipoli) and Luigi d’Arenzo (Peschichi) have formally requested a state of natural disaster to assist. Regional authorities reiterated calls for tighter fire‑prevention measures unlock emergency re‑forestation and faster aerial response, fire‑break funding. Authorities are planning immediate re‑forestation measures, while the mayors confirmed that homes had so far been spared 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 was is presently under control.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-26 19:32 UTC Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026 – Mass evacuations
  2. 2026-07-26 18:40 UTC Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026 – Ongoing evacuations
  3. 2026-07-26 17:23 UTC Wildfires in Southern Italy, July 2026

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