While firefighters remain on the front line, there are also practical ways members of the public can support those more affected.
Donate to relief organisations
Financial donations are usually the most effective option to provide immediate support, as aid organisations can use the funds to buy exactly what is needed.
The Italian Civil Protection coordinates national and regional emergency responses, so it’s a good place to start when looking for information on how to help during a wildfire. They also post regular updates on Facebook, X and Instagram.
One of the main organisations collecting donations during wildfires in Italy is WWF Italia. People can decide how much to donate, and the funds will be used to buy drones, cameras and sensors to identify fires in real time, train volunteers, plant trees, and set up rescue points for animals impacted by wildfires.
READ MORE: What to do and what to avoid if you see a wildfire in Italy
Generally, more information on donations and ways to help is posted on government websites of the cities and regions more affected by wildfires.
You can stay informed about community initiatives by reaching out to local organisations, schools and churches, which may set up collection points or fundraising campaigns for the hardest-hit areas.
There is also a GoFundMe page that lists the fundraisers of individuals impacted by wildfires in Italy.
Volunteering
While only Italian citizens can join the national volunteer fire corps in Italy, international residents may be able to become a civil protection volunteer to help during wildfires, natural disasters and other emergencies. The first step to do so is joining a volunteer organisation on the national list.
Even in this case, each region might have specific information available about volunteering. The Lazio region, for instance, has a map of organisations you can volunteer for, so you can easily find the ones close to where you live.
READ MORE: Italian vocabulary to understand wildfire warnings and evacuations
Prevention
Most wildfires are caused by people’s improper behaviour, both voluntary and involuntary. The best way to help is preventing fires altogether by obeying local restrictions. These might include bans on lighting fires, setting off fireworks, smoking, littering, or leaving your car on dry grass and vegetation.
If you own property, carry out regular cleaning and maintenance of facilities and outdoor spaces, such as gardens, fields and forests to limit fire hazards.
In the event of a fire, call 112 (the European emergency number) or 115 (the Italian fire fighters), follow firefighters’ instructions and make sure you are not obstructing streets or walkways so that firefighters can intervene promptly and do their job.