Sicily & Sardinia destination risk · reviewed 2 August 2026 at 03:59 UK time

Sicily & Sardinia Wildfire Risk: Should I Travel?

A destination-risk page for travellers to Sicily and Sardinia during a red fire-risk spell, where scirocco winds and extreme heat are driving fast island wildfires.

Short answer: island resorts and airports can be operating while nearby rural and coastal routes are closed, smoke-affected or under evacuation. Check Protezione Civile and regional alerts before driving inland or along the coast, and never enter an evacuation zone.

Open the relevant wildfire map Read Italy travel advice Campervan checks

Active fire risk now: Sicily and Sardinia fires: red alerts and island evacuations. Full incident page and official sources →

What is happening

Sicily is Italy's problem region, and it still is today. Dozens of separate fires have run across the island from Catania to Agrigento and Palermo, with homes evacuated as a precaution at Carini, flames reaching the edge of Castronovo, and the Palermo–Catania motorway closed in both directions at times where fire came up to the verges. The state road up to Monreale was shut temporarily. Sardinia has not had the same fires but is back on high fire-danger warning today, Cagliari included. On the other side of the country, the Gargano peninsula in Puglia had its own bad week: tourists were taken off beaches and out of campsites by sea near Peschici, and beaches at Vieste were cleared.

What it means if you are travelling

Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and the whole north are unaffected — this is a southern and islands story. On Sicily the threat to your trip is the drive, not the flight. The A19 between Palermo and Catania has been closed in sections with traffic pushed onto the SS120 and other back roads, which turns a two-hour transfer into something much longer, so build in slack and check before you leave rather than at the junction. Steer clear of rural and hill roads near a visible smoke column. On Sardinia today's warning is about ignition: no barbecues, no cigarettes out of the car window, and expect quick precautionary closures on country roads. On the Gargano, coastal campsites and beach clubs have been evacuated at short notice before — if you're booked there, keep your documents and phone with you at the beach and know where your car keys are.

Free destination checks

Airports vs roads

Sicily airports are reported open, but check ground transfers, rural roads and coastal routes separately from flight status.

Rural and coastal fire

Avoid rural, forest and coastal routes near active fires; scirocco winds can move a fire front fast.

Evacuations

Follow local authority and 112 instructions; do not drive toward a fire to reach or leave a booking.

Heat

Extreme heat and wind warnings are in force — carry water, keep the vehicle and phone ready, and avoid midday exertion.

Nearby alternatives to compare

Keep resort and airport plans separate from rural or inland island excursions.
For Sardinia and Sicily touring, check the day's fire and heat alerts before committing to a route.
Prefer main roads and staffed accommodation when red fire-risk alerts are in force.

Live incident in progress

Sicily & Sardinia has an active fire event. The summary above is the current picture; the linked incident page and official sources carry the live detail, and conditions can change faster than this page. Always follow local authorities.

Sources used for this page

Europe Fire Map is travel decision support, not an emergency service or an official incident feed. Conditions can change faster than this page. Follow local authorities, accommodation providers and emergency services first. In danger anywhere in the EU, call 112.