A fast-moving wildfire broke out in scrubland near Amalfi on Italy's famed Amalfi Coast, forcing precautionary evacuations and putting tourists on edge as emergency crews battled the flames through the night. No injuries or damage to homes were reported, but the blaze scorched woods and threatened communities across one of the Mediterranean's most recognizable destinations.
Firefighters launched both aerial and ground operations after the fire erupted Monday evening, according to Reuters. The flames affected areas around Cus Pogerola, Positano, Amalfi, Tovere di Amalfi and nearby coastal zones, local news outlets reported. Italy's national fire service, Vigili del Fuoco, said crews responded to scrubland fires stretching between Positano, Amalfi, Agerola and Vico Equense along the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula.
Seven ground teams and three aircraft were deployed, according to the Anadolu Agency. Strong winds initially grounded helicopters, but firefighting aircraft joined the operation by morning. Crews worked through the night to keep the flames from reaching residential areas, and as of midweek they were still extinguishing hot spots around the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula.
As a precaution, some restaurants and facilities in key locations were evacuated as concern grew among tourists staying in the region. The fire reached much of the state road, which was closed to ensure safe firefighting operations, and descended toward Positano. It also threatened upper mountain hamlets in the Capo d'Acqua area before Montepertuso, between Positano and Santa Maria del Castello, according to local newspapers.
Local leaders warned of severe environmental damage and publicly raised suspicions of arson. Positano Mayor Gabriella Guida confirmed that the fire ravaged the woods of Tordigliano on the border between the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula. She expressed fears that the loss of centuries-old trees would trigger major hydrogeological disruption and landslides once the first rains arrived.
Guida said she believes the cause was likely arson, pointing out that fires breaking out simultaneously across Vico Equense, Agerola, Amalfi and Positano appeared to indicate a coordinated plan rather than a coincidence. She acknowledged the economic toll on the destination, noting that travelers were frightened during what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, and urged anyone with information about the fires to speak up.
Sorrento Mayor Corrado Fattorusso released an official statement expressing solidarity with the administrations and communities of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. He described the fires as an attack on the region's identity, history and environmental heritage, and urged authorities to move from words to action by identifying the culprits and establishing concrete land monitoring and prevention measures.
The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors to its dramatic cliffs, coastal towns and historic landscapes. The timing of the fire, during the peak vacation season, amplified concerns about safety and the potential long-term damage to the area's environment and economy.
Investigators have not publicly named any suspects, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Local officials continue to press for stronger prevention measures as fire crews monitor the region for any remaining hot spots.