Piedmont wildfires destroy 700,000 trees and 900 hectares, region declares ecological catastrophe
Wildfires across four provinces have burned up to 900 hectares, killed an estimated 700,000 trees, and forced the evacuation of 120 residents in the Verbano Cusio Ossola area, as a prolonged heatwave and lightning strikes fuel the blazes.
Scale of the fires
Fires burning across the western Alpine region have scorched between 800 and 900 hectares of forest and brush since early July, according to the Piedmont regional government. The provinces of Turin, Vercelli, Novara and Verbano Cusio Ossola are all affected. An estimated 700,000 trees have been lost, the region said, citing fire brigade reports. The most serious fire is in the Ossola valley near Premosello, where about 600 hectares are still burning.
A real ecological catastrophe is affecting Piedmont.
Causes and weather conditions
The regional government blamed a lethal combination of record-breaking heat and drought. Temperatures have been above average since late May, culminating on 8 July when Domodossola hit 39 degrees Celsius and Ala di Stura, at 1,000 metres altitude, reached 33.5 degrees. Strong Foehn winds fanned the flames, while the initial sparks came from lightning during violent thunderstorms that swept through the area in recent days.
The flames were triggered by lightning that fell during the violent storms of recent days, then spread rapidly due to strong wind, torrid temperatures and eroded soils.
- Record heat: 39°C in Domodossola, 33.5°C in Ala di Stura
- Lightning from violent thunderstorms ignites fires across Piedmont
- Colloro residents evacuated; rain and 500 firefighters bring partial containment
- Regional government declares ecological catastrophe, reports 700,000 trees lost
- Water emergency table scheduled as third heatwave arrives
Ecological toll
The damage extends well beyond burnt vegetation. Smoke and habitat destruction are directly harming microfauna, pollinating insects, reptiles and nesting birds. Large mammals such as chamois and roe deer are being forced to flee into human-inhabited areas, the regional authority stated.
The ecological damage goes far beyond the loss of vegetation because the fires are severely compromising local biodiversity.
Recovery timeline
Pioneer plant species, grasses and shrubs that partially stabilise the soil against erosion may return in two to five years. The mature oak, beech and tall conifer ecosystems will need 50 to 70 years to regain their original structure, according to the region’s assessment.
- Pioneer species return
- 5 years
- Mature forest recovery
- 70 years
Firefighting and evacuations
A turnaround came late on 10 July when rainfall and the work of 500 personnel and 60 vehicles helped bring some fronts under control. In the Ossola area near Premosello, four aircraft, two Canadairs, an Erickson helicopter from the national civil protection department and a regional helicopter, supported more than 200 firefighters and volunteers. The village of Colloro saw 120 residents evacuated on Thursday after a meeting convened by prefect Matilde Pirrera, as air quality became unbreathable; 15 residents chose to stay.
We continue to follow the development of the various fire fronts with the utmost commitment, with men and equipment.
Continuing heatwave and next steps
Meteorologists warn that a third heatwave of 2026 is arriving, lasting at least 15 days, with peaks of over 40 degrees Celsius in the Po Valley and up to 43 in Sardinia. The regional government has called a water emergency table for Monday 13 July. Small fires also forced the temporary closure of Olbia airport in Sardinia on 10 July, but the main crisis remains concentrated in Piedmont.
