Summer data
In Italy, from 15 June to 15 September 2024, 45783 hectares of total surface area were covered by large fire, of these 8890 hectares are attributable to forest cover. The most affected forest category appears to be that of holm oak-cork forests and Mediterranean scrub (48%) and stands covered by downy oak forests and mixed forests (33%).
The areas most at risk
The regions mainly affected are Sicily, Calabria, Lazio, Sardinia and Campania, within which approximately 85% of the national territory affected by large fires for the period considered falls. In terms of impacted forest areas, Sicily is found with 2178 ha, Calabria with 1808 ha, Sardinia with 1691 ha and Campania with 1065 ha.
The provincial scale
At the provincial scale, the provinces of Nuoro (789 ha), Cosenza (769 ha), Reggio Calabria (694 ha) and Enna (683 ha) were affected by extensive forest fires. Approximately 27% of the forest ecosystems affected by extensive fires during the “2024 Fire Season” are located within the boundaries of the sites belonging to the national system of protected areas (source: ISPRA).