Hiking paths shut down as Vesuvius experiences forest blaze; officials take precautions
The Vesuvius National Park in southern Italy is currently grappling with a wildfire that broke out on a Sunday, south of Naples, on the slopes of the iconic volcano [1][2][3]. The fire has been active since Friday, burning over 500 hectares (approximately 1,235 acres), mainly on the Mount Somma side [2][3].
The smoke from the wildfire has been visible even from the Pompeii archaeological site, which remains open to tourists [1][2][4]. The archaeological site near Naples, second only to the Colosseum in Rome, continues to welcome visitors, despite the ongoing fire [5].
Several measures have been taken to ensure safety and facilitate firefighting operations. All hiking routes and activities along the Vesuvius National Park trail network have been temporarily suspended [1][2]. Twelve firefighting teams are on the ground, assisted by reinforcement firefighters and about 100 firefighters and Civil Protection volunteers [1][2][4][5].
The efforts to extinguish the fire are not limited to ground troops. Six Canadair planes from the national firefighting air fleet are operating to combat the fire from the air, supplemented by regional Civil Protection helicopters [1][2][3][4]. Drones are also used onsite to monitor the fire's spread [1][2][3].
Reinforcements are reportedly on their way from other regions to aid in the firefighting efforts [1]. The army has been deployed to help manage the emergency by guarding roads and opening access routes [1][2][4].
As the fire continues to burn, the Vesuvius National Park, a popular tourist destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year [6], remains closed. The ongoing heatwave in Italy, attributed to global warming caused by human-induced climate change [7], has exacerbated the situation, with other southern European tourist regions experiencing similar conditions.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-deploys-army-help-combat-vesuvius-wildfire-2025-08-10/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58100366 [3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/10/vesuvius-national-park-wildfire-southern-italy [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/vesuvius-wildfire-italy.html [5] https://www.thelocal.it/20250810/vesuvius-wildfire-italy-12-teams-deployed-to-fight-blaze [6] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1040311/vesuvius-national-park-visitor-numbers/ [7] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/09/europe-heatwave-climate-change-global-warming-italy-spain-france
- Amidst the ongoing wildfire at the Vesuvius National Park, the Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation during times of environmental crises such as wildfires.
- In light of the global warming-induced climate change, it is crucial for scientists to study and analyze the impacts of wildfires on the environment and public health, including the associated risks of ionizing radiation exposure.
- As the wildfire at the Vesuvius National Park continues to rage, meteorologists are closely monitoring the weather patterns, with sports analysts also studying the potential effects of the smoke and ash on weather forecasting and air quality.
- Meanwhile, environmental scientists are conducting assessments on the ecological impacts of the wildfire on the diverse flora and fauna of the Vesuvius National Park, which is famed for its unique biodiversity, similar to the way sports analysts assess the performance of teams amidst adverse weather conditions.
