Italy\’s Mount Vesuvius shuttered as wildfire rages
Mount Vesuvius Faces Trail Closure Amid Wildfire
A wildfire raging on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius has led to the suspension of all hiking routes in the volcano’s national park, as Italian firefighters tackled the blaze on Sunday.
Firefighting Effort
Italian authorities deployed 12 ground teams and six Canadair aircraft to battle the blaze, which has been scorching the park since Friday. Reinforcements from other regions are en route, while onsite crews are using drones to monitor the fire’s spread.
Trail Network Suspension
- For safety and to aid firefighting operations, the park has halted all activities along the Vesuvius National Park trail network until further notice.
- Despite the wildfire, the Pompeii archaeological site remains open to visitors.
According to park statistics, nearly 620,000 people ascended the crater in 2024. The smoke produced by the fire was visible from Pompeii, although the site continues to welcome tourists.
Contextual Note
Experts warn that European regions are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, driven by intensified summer heatwaves linked to global warming.
