Fire on Monte Faeta: Impacts on Forest Ecosystems. First 2026 Data on Wildfires in Italy
In the Province of Pisa, in the municipality of San Giuliano Terme, and in the Province of Lucca, in the municipalities of Lucca and Capannori, approximately 500 hectares of land were affected by wildfire between April 28 and May 2, of which 370 hectares were forest cover.
The statistics were processed by ISPRA on the basis of high-resolution satellite mapping and through the use of artificial intelligence applications to identify the forest ecosystems affected by the fires.
The area is characterized by an interface landscape between natural ecosystems and agriculturally oriented areas, with a significant presence of forested land. The burned area falls within the Special Area of Conservation “Monte Pisano,” a site belonging to the Natura 2000 Network.
According to ISPRA estimates, the forest ecosystem most severely affected by the fire was conifer woodland, with around 200 hectares burned. Holm oak forests were also affected over approximately 100 hectares, along with oak and chestnut forests covering an area of around 70 hectares.
Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA, stated: “Our forests constitute a natural capital of inestimable value, as they protect biodiversity, contribute to climate regulation, and provide essential ecosystem services for the community. Their protection requires continuous commitment, based on knowledge, innovation, and cooperation among institutions. The fire that affected Monte Faeta strongly draws attention to the strategic importance of environmental surveillance and the protection of our forest heritage. Fire prevention and management cannot be separated from a solid technical and scientific foundation; the work carried out by ISPRA makes it possible to continuously monitor the condition of ecosystems, providing reliable and timely data to support institutional decision-making. In this context, environmental surveillance represents not only a monitoring tool, but also an essential driver for the sustainable management of forest areas, helping to build a culture of prevention and greater territorial resilience. This is a responsibility that concerns us all, and one that ISPRA will continue to uphold with the utmost scientific and institutional rigor”.
Roberto Inghilesi, Head of ISPRA’s Environmental Surveillance Centre, stated:“The Institute’s activities in satellite monitoring and the analysis of wildfire impacts on natural ecosystems ensure the scientific level necessary to assess trends and the possible consequences of climate change. A fundamental aspect of the assessments carried out on burned areas is the evaluation of the resilience capacity of forest ecosystems in response to wildfire events”.
Wildfire and Forest Ecosystem Situation Updated to 4 May 2026
From January 1, 2026, to the latest update available from the European Forest Fire Information System as of4 May 340 large wildfires were detected nationwide, affecting a total vegetation-covered area (including forests, agricultural land, grasslands, and shrublands) of approximately 3,900 hectares.
Estimates produced by ISPRA indicate that, during the first four months of 2026, forest ecosystems affected by fire amounted to approximately 1,900 hectares, corresponding to 49% of the total area impacted by wildfires. The affected forest area includes 1,300 hectares of oak and mixed forests, around 300 hectares of holm oak, cork oak, and Mediterranean scrub forests, and approximately 300 hectares of conifer forests.
Comparing 2026 data with statistics for the 2019–2025 period, the total area affected by wildfires remained at minimum levels until the end of March. Since the beginning of April, a progressive increase has been recorded, with a peak corresponding to the Monte Faeta fire event, which brought the total burned area slightly above the average of the reference period. Forest areas affected by wildfire show a similar trend.