Wildfire Threatens Amalfi Coast, Officials Suspect Arson

A wildfire has erupted along Italy's Amalfi Coast, forcing precautionary evacuations and raising concerns among tourists as firefighters battle the blaze. The fire broke out in scrubland near Amalfi on Monday evening and spread across areas including Cus Pogerola, Positano, Amalfi, and Tovere di Amalfi.

Fire crews worked through the night to contain the flames and prevent them from reaching residential areas. No injuries or damage to homes have been reported thus far. Aerial and ground operations are underway, with firefighting aircraft joining the efforts after initial strong winds hampered their deployment.

Local authorities suspect arson, with Mayor Gabriella Guida of Positano stating that the simultaneous outbreak of fires across multiple locations on the coast suggests a coordinated act rather than a coincidence. The flames have affected the woods of Tordigliano, bordering the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula, and reached the state road, which was closed for safety reasons. The fire also threatened mountain hamlets in the Capo d’Acqua area.

Mayor Guida expressed concern over potential severe environmental damage, including hydrogeological disruption and landslides once the rainy season begins, due to the loss of trees. Sorrento Mayor Corrado Fattorusso echoed these sentiments, calling the fires an attack on the region's identity and heritage, and urged authorities to identify those responsible and implement stronger monitoring and prevention measures.

Tourists in the popular vacation destination reported feeling uneasy as the fire spread, impacting what was intended to be a relaxing holiday. Restaurants and facilities in some key areas were evacuated as a precautionary measure. As of midweek, firefighting crews continued to work on extinguishing remaining hot spots along the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula.