Forest ecosystems and fires: update 7 August 2023

The extension of the areas covered by large forest fires in Italy is increasing, as of 7 August 2023, almost exceeding 59,000 hectares (hec), of which over 9,400 hec of forest ecosystems.

The forest ecosystems most involved are mostly portions of Mediterranean maquis and holm oak woods (63%) and areas covered by woods and reforestation of conifers (20%).

93% of the areas burned to date are in Sicily (75%) and Calabria (18%). The province of Palermo is the most impacted (over 15,500 hec, of which 20% forests), followed by the province of Reggio Calabria (8,500 hec, 18% of forests), the province of Messina (5,200 hec, 19% of forests) and the province of Syracuse (4200 hec, 24% forests).

In the last three days, the Sardinia region has been affected by numerous fires, which have had a relatively limited impact on forest ecosystems. The area covered by fire and the active flame fronts of the Gairo fire (NU) were observed from the Sentinel-2 constellation, with the passage of 12.05 local time on 6 August 2023. From the analyzes carried out by ISPRA, the burnt area is at the moment it is estimated at about 30 hec, of which about 23 hec of forest ecosystems.