Arson in Puglia, Coldiretti: "Six out of ten fires were caused by humans."

Puglia continues to burn, and it does so under the heavy shadow of environmental crime. According to Coldiretti Puglia , six out of ten fires are suspected of being arsonists, the result of deliberate planning aimed at incinerating thousands of hectares of forests, cultivated fields, and Mediterranean scrub. This criminal plan affects the environment, but also the agricultural economy, jobs, and tourism.

Among the latest incidents, yet another fire broke out in a reed bed in the Frattarolo Marsh, near the Lago Salso nature reserve , south of Manfredonia , already severely damaged in recent days by a vast fire front. Meanwhile, in Capitanata , the toll is dramatic: over 2,000 hectares of vegetation have already been destroyed.

Waste and crime increase the risk of fires

Making the fire risk even more critical is the widespread presence of waste abandoned in the countryside. Puglia, not surprisingly, ranks second in the national rankings for environmental crimes, and the illegal dumping of all kinds of materials contributes to turning agricultural land into veritable fuses waiting to be ignited.

Coldiretti praises the ongoing efforts of firefighters , civil defense, and law enforcement, engaged in a grueling battle against fires that often flare up in areas of outstanding natural beauty, landscape, and production value. "There are areas," the association reports, "where the flames are reaching wheat fields, tree crops, and orchards, destroying years of work and investment."

Up to 15 years to rebuild destroyed forests

The effects of fires are devastating. Temperatures can exceed 750 degrees Celsius, causing the destruction of biodiversity, soil erosion, ecological degradation, and the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And the damage doesn't stop there: woody and non-woody crops are lost, hydrogeological risks increase, and air quality is compromised.

"It could take up to fifteen years to reconstruct the areas and forests reduced to ashes," Coldiretti emphasizes. "And in the meantime, all traditional human activities will be prohibited, including those related to slow and nature tourism, so beloved by tens of thousands of enthusiasts."

Arsonists and abnormal weather, an explosive mix

While climate change, with its heat waves, plays a key role in the spread of fires, it's the actions of arsonists that are most concerning: approximately 60% of fires are reportedly started intentionally. "The real enemy is the human hand," Coldiretti continues, "and the delay in prevention and surveillance only fuels the problem."

Hope lies in rain, but it must be constant, not too intense or prolonged. Violent storms, like those that hit the north, are damaging: dry soils cannot absorb the water, risking landslides and mudslides.

Agriculture is a victim of tropicalization

The phenomenon of climate tropicalization —characterized by extreme events, sharp temperature swings, and sudden changes—is revolutionizing rainfall distribution in Italy. Drought, according to Coldiretti's analysis, is now the most serious disaster for the agricultural sector, compromising both the quantity and quality of harvests.

"We need new environmental protection policies," Coldiretti concludes, "based on prevention, education, and a renewed awareness of the value of the rural landscape. Without a change of direction, the flames will continue to destroy not only the present, but also the future of our land."

Follow us on Instagram – Click here Get free news on your Facebook Messenger. Here's how.