Fires, increased area in Italy in 2025
Approximately 1,600 large forest episodes were detected nationwide, with a total burnt area of almost 890 square kilometres
The area burnt in Italy increased in 2025. From 1 January to 15 September, according to the latest available update produced by the European Forest Fire Information System, around 1,600 large forest fires were detected on a national scale, for a total burnt area of almost 890 square kilometres. "The 2025 fire season competes with that of 2023 for the worst result in the last four years, both in terms of total burnt area and impact on forest ecosystems," Ispra wrote in a commentary note.
Estimates produced by the research institute show that the forested areas affected by fire amount to approximately 115 square kilometres (13% of the total). This area includes in particular 54 square kilometres of Mediterranean maquis, holm oak and cork forests, 33 square kilometres of oak forests, 23 square kilometres of coniferous forests and 5 square kilometres of unclassified tree areas.
As of 15 September 2025, there are 16 regions with areas affected by fire. The most affected are Sicily, Calabria, Apulia and Campania, which together account for 85% of the total burnt areas on a national scale. In particular, in Sicily, out of a total area affected by fire of 480 square kilometres, 37 square kilometres of forest ecosystems are affected. In Calabria, out of a total of 143 square kilometres, 26 square kilometres of forest ecosystems are affected. In Apulia, out of 81 square kilometres, 10 square kilometres of forest ecosystems are affected. Finally, in Campania, out of 58 square kilometres of total areas affected by fire, square kilometres were forest ecosystems.
Also for 2025, the province of Agrigento appears to be the one most affected by fires with a total area affected by fire of 171 square kilometres (19% of the total area affected by fire at a national level). The provincial territory with the most forest areas affected by fire appears to be the Cosenza area, with 13 square kilometres of forest ecosystems affected by fire. 39% of the forest ecosystems affected by fire in the 2025 fire season fall within protected areas, mostly belonging to Natura 2000 Network sites.
One of the most significant episodes in recent months was the fire on the slopes of Vesuvius, from 5 to 12 August: it affected 8 square kilometres in the municipal territories in the province of Naples, of Boscotrecase, Ottaviano, San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Terzigno and Trecase. The forest area covered by the fire was 3 square kilometres. The entire burnt area falls within the south-eastern sector of the Vesuvius National Park and Natura 2000 Network sites.
