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Maximum danger of forest fires

July 15, 2026
CategoriesTerritory
tag Incendi boschivi Ordinanza

The Civil Protection sector of the Piedmont Region declared from last July 8, and until further notice, the state of maximum fire danger, pursuant to the L.R. 15/2018 art 4. Wildfires are devastating with great severe damage, not only economic, to the entire society and are destructive to the environment (loss of biodiversity and release of a lot of carbon dioxide). Prevention is fundamental and utmost attention and maximum respect for the rules is required.

"The fires that developed in 2017 in Valle di Susa" - reminds us Andrea Pane, park ranger in the Orsiera Rocciavré Natural Park - "not only eliminated the herbaceous, forest, and shrub cover, but in some areas, they also eliminated the underground root layer. Only soil and ash remain; subsequent rainstorms have washed away this now purely mineral layer, which cascading down with the rain has certainly altered the balance of the streams, and the underlying rock has emerged. From forest to rock in a few weeks. How many decades must pass before the previous situation can be restored? In a flat area, it takes a few decades, but on a steep slope that is now even devoid of the topsoil?
In 1999 in Piossasco, during firefighting operations of a wildfire, volunteer David Bertrand found himself surrounded by fire and died.
In recent weeks in Andalusia, there have been 12 deaths.
All of this happens, in 90% of cases, due to human hands, intentionally or negligently. Let us strive to be on the side of reason, avoiding any behavior that could lead to these results. Especially when others, not us, will intervene on the fire."

The prohibitions

It is prohibited, within a distance of one hundred meters from wooded, shrubby, and grazing lands:

  • lighting fires, using fireworks, detonating mines, using flame or electric devices for cutting metals, using devices or equipment that produce sparks or embers, smoking, dispersing cigarette butts or lit matches, leaving motor vehicles unattended in contact with combustible vegetation, or performing any other operation that could create either a mediated or immediate risk of fire; any generation of uncontrolled open flame in time and space is prohibited.

Violations of the prohibitions and non-compliance with the provisions during the period of maximum fire danger entail the application of penalties provided for by state legislation L. 353/2000 "Framework Law on Forest Fires".

The reports

In case of fire, it is necessary to promptly call the single emergency number 112 with precise information to limit damage to the environment and allow timely interventions, before the fire increases in strength and destructive capacity.

The penalties

Article 13 of the Regional Law 15/2018 (Penalties) states:
 1. Violations of the prohibitions referred to in article 10, paragraphs 2 and 3, and non-compliance with the provisions of article 10, paragraph 5, entail the application of administrative penalties ranging from a minimum of €200.00 to a maximum of €2,000.00.
 2. Violations of prohibitions and non-compliance with the provisions of article 10, paragraphs 4 and 7, entail the application of the penalties provided for by article 10 of law 353/2000 "Prohibitions, Provisions, and Penalties" **
 3. For the ascertainment of violations and the application of the administrative penalties provided for by this law, the norms and principles of Chapter I of law 24 November 1981, n. 689 (Amendments to the Penal System) shall apply.

** sum not less than €5,000 and not more than €50,000. These penalties are doubled if the responsible party belongs to one of the categories described in article 7, paragraphs 3 and 6.

Attachments:

open_in_new Determination No. 1300 of July 5, 2026 Declaration of maximum danger status for forest fires throughout the territory of Piedmont. Starting from July 8, 2026 846.5 KB

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