Wildfires in Sicily: when the fire came close to our countryside

The day the fire came

In summer 2023 Sicily burned. Extreme heat, scirocco wind and dry vegetation: within a few days thousands of hectares went up in smoke. Near Cefalù too.

The flames came very close to our countryside estate, where we grow fruit and exotic plants. We fought to protect it and in the end we were lucky: the wind changed direction. Many neighbours and many Sicilians weren’t so lucky and lost homes, land and a huge number of plants.

The day after, from above

A few days later we flew the drone over the burned areas. Black hills, trees reduced to skeletons, silence. We wanted to share these images because they show the consequences of wildfires – and of our daily actions – better than any words.

Why Sicily burns

Summer wildfires have several causes at once: an ever hotter and drier climate, abandoned land full of dry scrub and, sadly, very often human hands – through carelessness or arson. A cigarette butt, a barbecue or burning stubble on the wrong day can be enough.

What each of us can do

• No outdoor fires in high-risk periods, and respect bans.
• Never throw cigarette butts from the car or into vegetation.
• Clear the land around houses and farms of dry grass and branches.
• If you see smoke or flames, call 112 straight away (in Sicily also 1515, the Forestry Corps). Don’t put yourself in danger.
• Support those who replant: after a fire, nature needs help to recover.

Starting again by planting

After that summer we kept doing what we were already doing: planting. Today hundreds of trees grow on our estate – we tell the story in planting exotic trees in Sicily. And you’ll find some of their fruit in exotic fruit in Sicily.

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