It promises to be one of the hottest Summers ever. The 2024 Italian forest firefighting campaign began on 15 June and continues until 15 October 2024. This year too, the multi-year collaboration between the Armed Forces, the National Fire Brigade and the Civil Protection is consolidated. The common objective is to make the fight against flames more effective and incisive.

The Armed Forces are contributing to the campaign with nine helicopters (three from the Army, one from the Navy, two from the Air Force), two from the Carabinieri and one at Palermo airport for the needs of the Sicily Region. As regards the Fire Brigade fleet in the South, this will be located in the following Air Force airports: Naples-Capodichino, Sigonella and Trapani-Birgi.

Meanwhile, fears are multiplying about the risk of fires fueled by high temperatures in the Summer season. In particular due to the negative streak recorded so far in Europe: 11 consecutive months of record heat with sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic rising to their highest levels for at least 40 years. This makes it necessary to have an adequate response from the country system to the fire disaster, both at a regional and national level. 

On the same topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.